Saturday- Burial Plans, 100-foot journey
Saturday (yesterday) Mom, Dad, and I joined up with Tita Tina, Tito Larry, and Hermes to discuss with Karen plans for burial. We visited a future mausoleum, and I stopped by to pick up some fried chicken and ice cream for lunch. We had a late lunch, and then I went with Debbie to see a movie. Our other movie was sold out, so we went to see The Hundred-Foot Journey
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2980648/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
So many cultural themes, with a sense of tongue-in-cheek. Two of the film's producers were Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. Lovely fun!
We got tickets for the other movie for tonight. Wheee!
Tuesday- America's Got Talent, Wednesday- Bible Study
Tuesday I had office hours, a lab class, and watched Lolo as a Knight of Columbus on television with BB and Solomon and Mom. Solomon liked it so much that he requested that we leave the other station and watch. William and Marissa arrived between 7.40 and 9, then, after they left, we watched America's Got Talent semi-finals part 1.
Wednesday- Today I went to Bible study, where I read the Gospel reading from the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A). The first reading was from Jeremiah 20: 7-9. A translation of the word "duped/ deceived/ seduced" was discussed. A very personal relation with God, as indicated in another passage of Jeremiah--- how God knows one before one is "knit in ...[the] womb." The second reading was from Romans 12: 1-2. The discussions of Christians as a Paschal people, self-emptying, self-sacrificing.
The Gospel reading was from Matthew 16: 21-27, in which Peter hears only half of Jesus' outcome: The suffering half. We discussed the Cross for a while, and I paraphrased Scott Hahn's statement at the last Theology on Tap: That without the suffering and sacrifice for us, that without the Passover, Christ's death is merely a Roman execution. With it, there is the Resurrection.
We also discussed the Words Jesus said to his disciples: Whoever wishes to come after me must deny [disown] himsiefl, take up his cross, and follow me..."
I look forward to teaching later today.
Monday- First Day Back to School: Fall Semester 2014, Ever-so-busy-day!
Today was my first day back to school. I taught a Frosh class in the morning, got lunch back at the ranch, and returned in the afternoon to teach my laboratory class. I went directly from there to the Parish Pastoral and Finance Council meeting. My reward at the end of the day was pizza and a big bottle of water! It all starts again tomorrow morning... I must get some rest!
Sunday- Mass, Parish Picnic, Last Summer 2014 Organ Concert, and Campus Computer Lab
Sunday (yesterday), Mom, Dad, and I attended the noon Mass, followed by the Parish picnic. The weather was gorgeous, and we had a wonderful time talking, chatting, and listening to a harpist. After I walked Mom to her home, I returned for the last summer 2014 organ concert. It was performed by Jennifer Zoellner Marshall and her husband, a tenor, Zachary Marshall. She played Buxtehude, Bach, Du Mage, and more recent, 20th Century works. I went to Mom and Dad's and then over to a campus computing lab to print items for work on Monday.
Saturday- Joyfully Inspired Sacred Art Songs- PAPAGP Concert Premier of Sacred Songs
Today at four in the afternoon the Philippine American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh presented “Listen to the Voice: A Concert Premiere of Sacred Songs” from the
recently released CD, Seek the Living
Water. Songs were composed and
produced by Rose Vega, arranged and performed on piano by Josie
Merlino, and sung by vocalist Catherine Florian. Diane Zupi performed flute and Jesse Walls was on percussion. The PAPAGP dance troupe and chorus were featured, as well.
The concert was at the Hillman Center for the
Performing Arts at Shady Side Academy Upper School Campus in Fox Chapel.
Meet-the-Artist,
reception, and light dinner follow the concert at Kountz Black Box.
There was a bake sale (with Filipino delicacies). Proceeds
benefit projects of PAPAGP, a 501(c)3 organization.
It was a pleasure to chat with Betsy M, a fellow Pittsburgh Wellesleyite, at the dinner after the concert, and as to sing with Catherine after dinner(!) It was a great honor to serve on the concert committee, as well.
The music compositions were akin to sacred art songs. The compositions, arrangements, and performances were joyfully inspired. Spiritually inspiring and moving!
Friday- The kids, computer lab, meet with UTA, Hazelwood Library, Pizza and Perogies
Friday (yesterday) morning I spent withe Mom and Dad and BB and Solomon. After brunch I went to campus to work at the computer lab, met with Joya P, the UTA for my interdisciplinary class, and then Marissa and the kids picked me up on the way to the (new) Hazelwood library. I got an armful of books, the kids and Marissa enjoyed the children's room and checking out books. Then, we went to Greenfield for two pizzas (one half mushroom and sausage/ half mushroom and onion, one cheesey peasy), and Sweeet pierogies across the street at the place Joyce got the savory ones for Mom's birthday bash (we got peanut butter cup, apple pie, and sweet potato/pumpkin flavors). A performance of ALOHA! was presented to us by the kids and Lola, replete with costuming and trailers for subsequent parts.
Thursday- BB and Solomon at Lolo & Lola's, Meeting at work..
Whilst BB and Solomon were at Lolo and Lola's, I prepared for my work meeting. The meeting started at noon, after greeting existing coworkers and new ones, well. I noted my table mate's changes from Spring semester. Joel, Jean, and Elia facilitated the first part of the meeting. We then met the rest of the time in lab. Some of us went to our respective classrooms to figure out the space/ resources there.
Shortly before the meeting, my interdisciplinary class had changed days of the week. I now have a new TA.
Wednesday- Phone calls, computer printing on campus, babysitting the kids, and Facebook
This morning I caught up on phone calls, went to campus to print out administrative and teaching documents, helped make lunch at Mom and Dad's for BB and Solomon (consisting of macaroni and cheese, spam, and ice cream bars), played Boggle with Mom and BB, prepared and read my paperwork at home, and had dinner with Mom and Dad. We watched NBC nightly news, Jeopardy! and Cash Cab before looking at my sister's photos of her kids' first day at school.
Sunday- Mass, Chinese Buffet, and PAPA practice. Monday- Walkabout. Tuesday- Jewelry Class
On Sunday Mom, Dad, and I went to noon Mass, went to a buffet in Pleasant Hills, and visited PAPAGP practice.
On Monday (yesterday) I paid two bills, visited campus for various reasons (to pick up a new semester's lab manual, a planner, to go print in the computer lab, to ask about computer care, to visit PITTarts.
I went home for lunch, then went to Carnegie Mellon to poster for an event. I visited William in his office, too.
Today (Tuesday) I paid another bill, made a phone call, helped Mom with correspondence and printing jobs on the computer. I had longsilog for breakfast.
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Went to a 2-hour-long beginning jewelry class with Betty Tuesday evening. I made a pearl-y necklace with charms on it---The blue bead made by the Choireland groupie, Karen W; the Mannekin Pis; a Saint Lucy medal from Italy; the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus medal from Montserrat, Spain; the open metalwork cross; the Wellesley blue charm; and the sparkly rhinestone ball from an old zipper I had.
Mom, Dad, and I watched America's Got Talent last night after dinner.
Saturday- Print out administrative materials at work, help Mom with Travel
Late this morning I went to print out administrative materials at the Hillman Library computer center. I had lunch, then helped Mom with travel plans for her and Dad.
Friday- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This afternoon, I read/ lectored at the 6.00 PM Mass. Linda cantored, Fr. Mark Thomas celebrated, Don provided music ministry from the organ loft, Kate and Aaron served. Ted was the sacristan before Mass, and Tara and Owen and a third person were Eucharistic Ministers. The Mass was in celebration of a fourth-decade anniversary for Jim and Sandy, and they brought the gifts up during the Offertory organ music. We sang much of the High Holy Day Mass. The entrance hymn was "Immaculate Mary," the Communnion Hymn was #101 "My Soul Rejoices in my God," and the recessional hymn was "Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above."
Before, I went to campus at 3 PM in an attempt to get to the library before it closed. The website on campus advertised the library open until at least the 5PM hour. My building is still being renovated....I could not stop by today, either.
Wednesday- Japanese buffet, haircut, wak and photo-share with Stacy
Yesterday was Wednesday. Mom, Dad, and I went to make burial plans today. ("See you before I die!") We went to a Japanese restaurant for lunch, and I got a haircut. Stacy and I went for a walk from her new workplace, where elle mange une gaufre au sucre. We chatted for a while outside, then we went to the public library to share photos and video with each other.
Watching American Ninja Warrior Now...
Good Bye Robin...
Robin Williams died earlier today:
http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/actor-robin-williams-found-dead-in-apparent-suicide
What a shame. What a loss for his family, and for all of us.
Monday- Helping Mom and Dad with home and other items, Medical Supplies, and Groceries
This morning I attempted to gather items for making bread--and was missing the pan and the mixing paddle. This afternoon after 3.00 Dad and I went to get medical supplies and groceries in Oakland and Bloomfield. Also planning trips for Mom and Dad online and by phone.
Sunday- Pinto Palooza!
Jonathan has been in town from London since Tuesday. We sang as a group, led and accompanied by Ken on the Beckerath, at today's noon Mass, per Jonathan's request. Fr. Ward celebrated, and Sean provided the cantoring expertise.
We sang:
Entrance Hymn: Your Hand, Though Hidden, Guides Us (Tune, Aurelia, Samuel B. Wesley)
Gloria (C. Andrews)
Psalm 85 (J. Carroll/ Gelineau)
Gospel Acclamation: (J. Chepponis)
Offertory Meditation: Be In My Seeing (Wayne Wold)
Sanctus (Mass XVIII)
Acclamations (The Roman Missal)
Lamb of God: (D. Isele)
Communion: All you Nations (L. Deiss)
Communion Meditation: O Lord We Believe (Robert Kreutz)
Recessional Hymn: Praise to the Lord (#616, Lobe den Herren, Stralsund Gesangbuch)
Recessional Voluntary: Festival (Played by Ken)
A group of 8 of the choristers, including Jonathan, walked to our favorite lunch spot to catch up with Jonathan.
Saturday- East End Food Coop, Bakery Square area shopping; WQED 50s and 60s music
This afternoon I went with Debbie to the East End Food Coop--the first time I've been there post-renovation. Looked for food staples there. We went to Staples and Tuesday Morning afterwards.
Mom and I are watching van Heusen's music and 50s/60s rock music on WQED this evening.
The Memorial of St. Dominic 2014
This morning's Mass was celebrated by Fr. Mark Thomas. Ken provided music ministry from the portative organ at the Marian altar. Dr.(!) Anu served, and I lectored. We sang "Jesus promises Communion" for the entrance hymn and "Take Up Your Cross" for the recessional hymn.
Readings were from Friday in the 18th week of Ordinary TIme (Cycle A). Approximately 36 people from the congregation received the Eucharist.
Talk of the television Mass for next Sunday, Anu's graduation, and creches were the topics of conversation before Mass started.
A Mass for Grampy Bill was celebrated on Monday, August 4, and a Mass for Auntie Luring was celebrated very early this morning.
Spent a few hours yesterday tossing and recycling papers.
~~~~
Also spent some time this afternoon recycling papers and generally organizing my living room.
Helped Mom by slicing the meat for the mung beans for tonight's dinner. Ran an errand for a Mass card to St. Paul Cathedral rectory. Maureen and I walked to and around Shadyside. I got peanuts for Dad, had a lemonade, and we also window-shopped. Maureen got items for her niece Annie and her grand-nephew TBD. Spotted a former student, CP, at a shop.
Wednesday- Bible Study, WPXI Mass Taping for 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
At Bible Study on Wednesday the focus was on theophany for the nineteenth Sunday in ordinary time (cycle A). Kyle had good news about his program to share.
Wednesday afternoon Carl and Monica drove me to the WPXI studios for the recording of the morning Mass for the twentieth Sunday in ordinary time (to be aired on the 17th of August). Fr. Mark Thomas celebrated the Mass, Audrey C lectored, Ken played the organ and directed the schola, consisting of: Judi M, Michael B, Carl & Monica G, me, and Jessica S (who cantored).
Jonathan arrived on Tuesday night from points east.
Scott Hahn- The New Evangelization: What is it and what do we do?
Theology on Tap yesterday night had Franciscan University theologian Scott Hahn speaking at Steel Cactus. I arrived, and spotted Christina with her boyfriend, Michael. Regina joined us later. It was good to see them again.
Scott Hahn spoke about evangelization, as described by the Popes during and since Vatican II, in the last half century. He spoke about the deep, spriritually moving evangelization of St. John Paul II from the first weeks of his papacy. He spoke of three issues in evangelization: Friendship, Joy, and Family.
I was the first person to meet with him after the talk and Q and A. I asked him to sign Mom and Dad's book which he and his wife wrote, as well as my copy of the book.
Also spotted Fr. Kris, Fr. Joe, Fr. Daniele, Sean (a former coworker), Marie, and others.
Maureen and I got together after the talk, and we did little chores.
PAPAGP Annual Picnic 2014
We enjoyed good food, friendship, and fun at the PAPAGP picnic this year. Same spot as last year, albeit with rain this time. We brought pineapple upside-down cake. There were so many delicious foods, including chicken on a stick, escabeche, LECHON!, custard cake, delicious torrone, and on and on all the way to the hot dogs and hamburgers and roasted marshmallows.
It rained on the way there, but was sunny the whole way back. Marissa and William's family was tired from the family events and travelling this week, so they were absent. We sat and chatted with Rose, who is presenting a premiere of her sacred songs later this month, then later with Tita Tina and Tito Larry.
I'm having...
an ocular migraine, I think. It just started a few minutes ago.
...7.24AM: and it went away, as fast. Binocular this time, with different symptoms in each eye.
Saturday- Triple Play at the PSO: Capocaccia and Wang
Debbie and I just returned from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Triple Play. It consisted of three parts: Opera movements, a Ravel concerto, and recent movie music.
Christian Capocaccia conducted this evening's program. He is an attractive, likable, dynamic young conductor. Xiayin Wang played piano effortlessly for the Ravel concerto.
The program consisted of:
Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla (Mikhail Glinka)
Overture to The Beautiful Galatea (Franz von Suppe')
Intermezzo and Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann (Jacques Offenbach)
Overture to William Tell (Gioacchino Rossini)
~~~ Intermission ~~~
Concerto in G Major for Piano and Orchestra (Maurice Ravel)
I. Allegramente
II. Adagio assai
III. Presto
~~~ Intermission ~~~
Medley from Pirates of the Caribbean (Hans Badelt)
Music from Batman: The Dark Knight Rises (Hans Zimmer)
Suite from Star Wars (John Williams)
The Imperial March
Princess Leia's Theme
Main Title
The second piece by von Suppe' was based on the Greek myth of Pygmalion. The Barcarolle was from the Roberto Benigni movie Life is Beautiful, a key musical piece from the film. The William Tell overture was played brilliantly, even though the volume of sound from the string section was slightly less than from the percussion section. Mikhail Istomin played an excellent opening solo cello for one of the pieces.
The Ravel concerto was deftly played by Ms. Chang at the piano. The first movement opens with a piccolo played by Lorna McGhee, and as the movement develops, swingy jazzy bars are introduced by the orchestra. The second movement is initially dominated by the solo piano, then joined by the orchestra. The last presto movement beheld more jazzy snippets from the brass sections of the orchestra.
The last three pieces in the program were from movie music. The balance between the less-numerous strings section playing on older, warmer-toned instruments and the louder brass and percussion sections was made apparent after the last intermission ended.
The audience was moved to applaud between movements, indicating a slightly different crowd which was drawn by the cinematic music.
All in all, Debbie and I enjoyed the evening at the symphony, and especially the Ravel concerto, which was a modern jewel.
First Friday- St. Alfonso
This morning, Mom, Dad, and I attended First Friday Mass celebration. Fr. Joe F celebrated the Mass, John DeF served, Bob K read, and Don provided music ministry. Mom and I spoke to Sally D, Carmella K, Fr. Joe, John DeF and Don after Mass.
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After 2PM Mom and I went grocery and other supplies shopping in Bloomfield and Oakland.
