Saving Mr. Banks
After a leisurely lunch of pizza, salads, and chicken in the South Side Works, Jeff, Christina, and I perambulated around the shops, took photos, and took in the movie, Saving Mr. Banks,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140373/?ref_=nv_sr_1
What a great teen-to-adult-themed Disney movie.
One of my favorite quotes from the movie:
[Travers gives Ralph a list of people to his handicapped
daughter, Jane]
Ralph: "Albert Einstein, Van Gogh, Roosevelt, Frida
Kahlo" - What is this?
P.L.
Travers: They all had difficulties. Jane can do anything that anyone
else can do, do you understand?
[beat]
P.L.
Travers: Look on the back.
Ralph: [turns it over] "Walt
Disney."
P.L.
Travers: Deficiencies in concentration and hyperactive behavior.
Explains everything!
---from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140373/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu
We sat through the last end credits. I spotted Dutch from the Harp and his two daughters, one of whom said that her coworker had seen the movie twice already. After hugs, we all departed.
I returned to Mom and Dad's to see them watching Jeopardy and typing on the computer.
Jose and Paraluman Ravano's Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary
Mom, Dad, and I attended the Mass and reception for the Ravano's fiftieth wedding anniversary. Fr. Pecking from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Carnegie celebrated the Mass, and Dad was the server. There were appetizers and drinks, followed by dinner, video-ed well wishes, television-phone wishes from Burma, and speeches...then dancing and wedding cake.
Lots of photos.
Catching up with friends...
Last night I took Mom and Dad out for dinner at Eat N Park. I had my favorite dinner. We then went to Dick's to get Dad a pair of "running" shoes, then to Macy's to get gifts of children's clothing for the extended family. I helped Mom type her holiday newsletter until very late.
Today I went to campus to print out work documents. I spent about an hour and a quarter working on some of them, then met up with Jennifer for lunch at the pan-Asian restaurant. We shared the dishes and enjoyed our conversation. I took a half-hour-long nap and then walked to meet Charles at Peet's Coffee and Tea, where I enjoyed a hot chai with soy milk. He partook of a decaf frothy milk drink, and we enjoyed chatting. After a ride home, I had leftovers and empanada for dinner, and printed out Mom's holiday newsletter. I think I will turn in early this evening, after Jeopardy.
Christmastide 2013
William and family had dinner at Lolo and Lola's at the end of last week. We babysat the children at the end of last week, as well.
Kelly arrived with Kyle early this week, and stayed at Lolo and Lola's. Tuesday (Christmas Eve) Kelly, Kyle, and I ran errands on the South Side and in Shadyside before picking up a couple of sandwiches for Kelly near Bakery Square, and heading to Marissa and William's to decorate cookies with the children (and I to nap swiftly). We all transported to Lolo and Lola's for dinner at four o'clock, as Lolo served as Eucharistic Minister of Communion at the six o'clock Mass. William's family opened gifts while Lolo was away, and I left soon after Lolo arrived from Mass; I to go to choir practice at a little after eight o'clock.
Christmas Eve, the choir sang (accompanied by Carnegie Brass and Ken at the organ):
Fanfare & Variations on Noel Nouvelet- R. Haan- Carnegie Brass& Organ (CB & O)
And all the stars looked down - R. Farrell
Gaudete - arr. R. Batastini
O Magnum Mysterium - G. Gabrieli - CB & O
A Boy was born - R. Farrell
Riu, Riu, Chiu - Medieval Spanish Carol
ALL SING: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
Coventry Carol - M. Shaw
See Amid the Winter's Snow - J. Goss
Christmas Proclamation - Bishop Zubik
Processional Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful - arr. Cherwien
Christmas Gloria - arr. D. Laginya
Psalm 96 - J. Chepponis
Preparation of Gifts: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice - In Dulci Jubilo segue into version by M. Praetorius
Acclamations by R. Proulx
Agnus Dei - Latin chant
Communion music: The First Nowell, Christmas Lullaby - J. Rutter, Silent Night
Recessional: Joy to the World - arr. Jenkins
Organ Postlude- In dir ist Freude - J.S. Bach
I walked with Joe W (Dad & Mom's neighbor) back in the windy, crisp, cold night. At Mom and Dad's we ate (Mom, Dad, Kelly and Kyle, and I), then opened presents. William's family had already left, and were preparing to leave Christmas morning at approximately six o'clock for Illinois.
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Christmas morning I chopped garlic for Kelly and Kyle's preparation of their homemade longanisa patties for longsilog for all three of us plus Mom and Dad.
Kelly and Kyle left shortly after, which was right before I went to church at ~11.10 for a brief practice in the choir loft before noon Mass on Christmas Day. The order of music was slightly different, but with the same pieces as Christmas Eve.
I took two well-deserved naps Christmas Day afternoon, and worked on paperwork for work for about two hours in the evening.
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Today, which is Boxing Day/ St. Stephen's Day, I walked to the new North Oakland CVS about a quarter mile or so. I selected four boxes of Christmas items, as well as two beauty items. I took the bus home to retrieve a coupon, and walked back, re-selected two beauty skin care products, and purchased all. I then walked back home.
I had some snack-y items for lunch, and took two long naps, as I did Christmas Day. I spent a nice chunk of time working on problems on paper for work. I am waiting for Mom to awaken so that Dad, Mom, and I can go to Homestead to shop and dine.
Womanhood
It's been a while since I had a talk about womanhood with a newbie. Last time I remember was with my youngest sister Kelly in Ohio. Until tonight.
I lent my little knit bag to my young friend, who went to the Women's rest room. Upon her return, I said, "Welcome to Womanhood," and stated, "You know, with this comes great responsibility. You can make babies now." Her parent stated, "It's easy to make babies. It's raising them that's the hard part." My friend said, "Having babies is hard. It's painful." Her parent intoned, "Anyone can make babies. The hard part is raising them." I said, "That's true, it takes time to raise babies." "And it never ends," her parent added. "Yeah, just ask my parents," I concurred.
I walked back from my meeting with them.
PAPAGP Christmas Party Saturday, Beatrice's Piano Recital on Sunday
Saturday morning consisted of breakfast with Maureen and Carolyn at the bakery in Highland Park, after picking up Maureen's boots at the shoe repair in Fox Chapel. We enjoyed strata (with croissants and sausage), cheese and raspberry danish, cinnamon buns, and coffee. I went on a search for a specific nightlight on Walnut Street in Shadyside, to no avail.
Mom, Dad, and I went to the PAPAGP Christmas party, where they were Lolo and Lola "Mano Po", there was also Santa for the little ones, buffet dinner, the Christmas pageant (Solomon borrowed my cane as his shepherd's crook/ staff, Beatrice was an angel), contests including climbing the bamboo pole (Beatrice won, despite the fact that her flag was firmly attached...she eventually got it loose), and yoyos. Dessert was great, too.
We exited the school on Mount Washington to a slurry of wintry mix (snow-turned-into-rain) in the parking lot.
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The piano division gave their recital Sunday afternoon at four o'clock. Beatrice performed "Staccato Caprice" by Palmer. It went smoothly, with only one minor, barely detectable error (save by Lola). She played excellently, considering she was vomiting with a stomach bug for most of the morning. I asked for an autograph of my program, and she happily acquiesced.
Earlier Sunday I sang in the choir for Gaudete Sunday. Ken took a photo for Lisa and me of the "Gaudettes."
Nicolas Petrov's Romeo and Juliet
Last night (Friday) Nancy and I met up with Maureen and Carolyn to watch Nicolas Petrov's Romeo and Juliet, with music by Sergei Prokofiev at the Rockwell Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse on Craft Avenue in Oakland. It was presented by the Conservatory Dance Company. It was a lovely, extremely engaging production of Shakespeare's story enlivened by the cast, which included Charlotte Ahlstrom as Juliet, Oscar Carrillo as Romeo, and Maggie Ellington as Juliet Capulet's nurse.
Juliet (Charlotte Ahlstrom) displayed not only litheness and musicality in her dance skill, but also a keen acting ability. The interactions between Ms. Ahlstrom and her nurse, Maggie Ellington; as well as the chemistry between Ms. Ahlstrom and Mr. Carillo was notable. The sword scenes/ fight scenes were superbly choreographed, and the acting ablilies of Will Geoghegan (Mercutio), Nick Fearon (Benvolio), and Tyler Malone (Tybalt) in these scenes were exemplary.
The supporting cast provided the necessary stage presence, and the gymnastic capability of various members of this contingent was applauded, as were the fouette turn sequences by various male members of the cast and company throughout the evening.
Maureen and Carolyn, former students of Point Park's dance program, said a fond hello during the first intermission to Nicolas, who attended the evening and was seated across the aisle from me, and I spoke briefly with him at the beginning of the second intermission.
This production was originally done for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 1971,
Holiday Party, Meet with Students, St. Lucy's Feast Day, Grading Meeting
Wednesday was the home holiday party. Had a great time eating and chatting and eating and chatting (and eating). Thursday I met off-campus with a couple of students (one a teaching assistant, another from off-the-Pitt-campus) in the afternoon and evening. Choir practice was cancelled.
Today is Saint Lucy's Feast Day. Dad and I went to morning Mass. Fr. Joe F celebrated the Mass, Ed Sullivan lectured, and Don provided music ministry from the loft. I returned, rechecked grades, and spreadsheets. We had our administrative meeting at noon, and then a small cadre (a little over a handful of us) went for pizza and drinks at the Porch in Oakland. We bid a fond farewell to Vicki, who had started working the same fall that I did. I ran an errand to Giant Eagle (Big Bird's palenke) for Mom & Dad, then caught up on correspondence online and by telephone. Tonight Nancy and I will carpool to Point Park University's Playhouse on Craft Avenue to meet Maureen and Carolyn to watch the ballet Romeo and Juliet. Maureen and Carolyn have VIP seating at the event.
Calculated Averages, A Day to Get Home Matters Taken Care of...
So, Maureen and I met Nancy for brunch. I had a short stack of bacon buttermilk pancakes, with plenteous syrup. Maureen also shared with Nancy and me the ricotta/ cottage cheese bowl of filling for her crepes. Om num! Maureen and I went to Ross Park Mall and met Nancy there, too afterwards. We stopped at JC Penney, L. L. Bean, and Crate and Barrel. Then, Maureen and I bid Nancy a fond adieu (until Friday), and went grocery shopping as well. I purchased a lot of the basics: Fruits (apples, bananas, oranges--and more oranges--did I say oranges?), eggs, milk, peas, did I say eggs?, and chipped chopped ham.
Came home and took a medium-length nap. Calculated some grades for Mom, and also emailed student/s grades.
Tonight is the Holiday Party. I will go there shortly.
Ending Fall Semester 2013
Just sent averages to my work early this morning. They were received. Went to morning Mass with Dad. Audrey C lectored, Ken provided music ministry from the portative organ at the Marian altar, Ted W was one of the television ministers, and Fr. Joe F celebrated the Mass.
Walked in the really cold to the Oratory after Mass---my group was cancelled due to finals week. Maureen and I will go to Nancy's neighborhood for breakfast and to run errands later this morning.
Before Finals; Now in the Home Stretch
Before finals last Sunday Christina and I went dancing to the Boilermaker's Jazz band with Jenny singing. I saw Lisa T (who taught a version of Lindy to a crowd before the dancing started at 8 PM), Lisa and her mom Frankie, Ralph, and danced with someone else, Dave. It was Joe's birthday, so there were cakes and potluck snacks as well.
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This past week was administer practical exams week. I started the bulk of my grading Friday of last week. I was so busy that I missed choir practice, a rarity for me, this week.
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Sang in choir for the Second Sunday of Advent this past Sunday. Mom made a BIG pot of spaghetti this weekend, the kids and William came over for dinner Friday, and all of them went to the medical society Christmas dinner/ celebration. Kwentos de Lola Basia, with Mom and Beatrice, were a hit!
I got a slew of grading done this weekend, and am now in the home stretch of the Marathon (the last full day of all-out grading). Helped Mom with calculating last night, as well.
I turn in averages tomorrow...now's the crunch.
Santa Mimi
Santa Mimi got me socks for Christmas, and some work blouses and work shoes at Ross Park Mall. Maureen and I had a great shopping time, thanks to lots of sales and two coupons!
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Before that, had a late lunch with Tita Tina and Tito Larry---Pancit, chicken and pork adobo with rice, and leche plan, all thanks to Mom. They love to decorate their office and home with our choir wreaths and garland, so the hand-off of one car-trunkful to another auto was done after lunch by Tito Larry and me.
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Maureen and I had large salted caramel hot chocolates at the donut shop on the way home. Quite rich and sweet!
