Palm Sunday 2015, Monday of Holy Week
Palm Sunday 2015 I sang only the noon Mass. Fr. Adam celebrated Mass. We (the choir) sang these and other hymns:
Antiphon: Hosanna to the Son of David (Victoria)
Entrance Hymn: All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Psalm 22 (R. Proulx)
Gospel Acclamation: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ (R. Proulx)
Passion Narrative, including: Jesus, Remember Me (J. Berthier)
Preparation of Gifts: O Sacred Head Surrounded
Eucharistic Acclamations: Sanctus (Chant), Schubert Deutsche Messe, Agnus Dei (from A. Lotti's Missa Brevis)
Communion: Parce Domine
Communion Choral Meditation: Christus Factus Est (R. Farrell)
Closing: Lenten Prayer
Afterwards, we had Chinese lunch in Bloomfield, went grocery shopping, and delivered candy to other board members in Lawrenceville.
I finished grading the Population Genetics quiz.
~~~~~
Today (Monday) I rose early to enter the quiz grades, go to office hours, had lunch at Mom and Dad's, prepared for lab class today, then taught today.
Snow today! 27 March 2015
We had a work meeting today. There was very light snow as I entered the building. I had a meeting with a student for a recommendation letter after the meeting. I went to a campus computer lab for documents. It was snowing ever so lightly as I exited the building.
~~~
Thursday was our last rehearsal before the ever-busy sprint called Holy Week. We picked up our candy and nuts for delivery due to fundraising.
~~~~
Wednesday I went to Bloomfield for groceries before Phyllis came over for lunch sandwiches.
~~~~~
Monday was parish Pastoral Council after work.
Day 230; 543 Lingots at the end of my DuoLingo session!
Today I finished grading all the online-submitted assignments from last week! I also practiced with and sung in choir. It is our last Sunday of "plain ol' Lent." William and his family came over to Mom and Dad's for lunch and tea today. I took a nap this afternoon, and heard some of William's stories from his Spring Break. Beatrice played piano at their Church in the North Side. We had a lot of fun today.
I just ended my day 230 of my language streak...I have 543 Lingots in my possession.
Duolingo Day # 229, Lingots = 525
Today is day 229 of my duolingo streak. I have earned 525 lingots as of the end of my two sessions this morning. It is so fun, and one spends some time each day learning (a) language/s!
This week I spent updating my CV, doing taxes, and planning summer get-togethers with friends.
~~~~
Today I spent it grading half of my four classes' prelab assignments on TurnItIn.com. Took a few breaks to nap, grocery shop in Bloomfield, deliver Girl Scout cookies to Debbie (in her new car!), and nap again. I finished two sections of grading TurnItIn assignments!
Happy Saint Padraig Day/ St. Patrick's Day 2015
And a happy Saint Padraig's Day to you! Will grade and do some electronic administrative work before grading today.
~~~~~
Also taught and met up with Debbie to go to a fundraising dinner for the American Ireland Fund celebrating the leadership of Jared Cohon and Mark Nordenberg, 2015 Chairman's Award Recipients.
We arrived in the "neighborhood" of Oakland, replete with street signs of the vicinity, to the beat of the Burke Conroy Irish Dancers. We also saw a caricature artist on our way to the pub/bar, which was next to the President's alcove. We enjoyed some appetizers as we entered, as well. After the singing of the Irish and American national anthems, we were escorted into the main dining room by the PITT drum line and the Burke Conroy School of Dance. While in the dining room, we heard a student ensemble from the CMU School of Drama sing songs, including one from Wicked. The associate Prime Minister of Ireland spoke. The invocation was said by Fr. Tom Burke, from St. James parish in Sewickley. The two award winners each spoke, after a video/slide presentation about each of them. I said a fond hello to Fr. Tom after the first course. He was seated at the Rooney's table.
The lines for hot food were long, so we enjoyed the chilled seafood table, with crab claws and legs, steamed mussels, and scallops. We also sampled the Irish potato salad, with fingerling potatoes, watercress, Irish bacon, and hot mustard vinaigrette. After the lines had subsided, we tried the calamari frites with potato aioli and other dippings, braised lamb with steel cut oatmeal grits, Irish cheddar, and sweet and sour cabbage. I had Chef Walton's delicious bread pudding with seemingly homemade vanilla ice cream. There were a couple of toasts (Slainte')! I tried the donut, and snagged a chocolate chip cookie on the way to the Gaelic name artist's table (Jon Webber). He wrote my name in Irish Gaelic, claiming Grace means "moves smoothly," not "God's grace." Michaeala (with acute accents over the "i" and the last "a") means "who is like God."
We claimed our wraps and Debbie's car was retrieved for us, ending a wonderful evening overlooking the Ohio River and Downtown at the Heinz Field, East Club Lounge.
Duolingo Day # 224, Lingots = 509
Today I just logged my day 224 in a long streak of days learning two languages. I have 509 Lingots, the currency of that language learning website, and am at level 11 for each of the two languages I'm doing.
~~~~~
Yesterday (Sunday) I went to choir practice, sang in choir, entertained the children while k & K prepared our sushi lunch (mostly nigiri with fillings of salmon, avocado, unagi, pickled plum, soy pockets with pickled ginger atop, and longanisa). Dad had prepared some ramen soup, too.
We had a tea time at four o'clock, with Beatwice and Twolomon. It featured dark handmade chocolates with macadamias from Hawaii, Ghiradelli chocolates from San Francisco, a selection of cookies (both Girl Scout and not), a variety of tea, including friendship/ Russian Tea. Before they left, BeaBea and I did the hand play about licorice, taffy, etc.
I turned in early for the afternoon/early evening.
~~~~
Monday (today) was my first day back at work after Spring Break. Office hours, a break for lunch, and my lab class. Did some paperwork to Dancing with the Stars. Watched with Mom and Dad.
Saturday- East End Cooperative Ministry with Jen, k & K arrive, the Pamilya, Band Aids off., Argo
Yesterday (Saturday) lunch, Jen McG and I joined up with the Sacred Heart ministry to prepare and serve food at the East End Cooperative Ministry. I said the blessing over the food and us, and we spent some time in fellowship with the people there, as well. Soon after I went home, Kelly and Kyle arrived. Beatrice, Solomon, and Marissa arrived soon after they sold Girl Scout cookies. We all enjoyed steak, pancit, green bean casserole, and all the fixings for lunch at some point in the afternoon.
The Band-Aids came off this afternoon---on the third day after Falling on the way home from Bible study. We played Boggle most of the evening, then K & k and Mom and I watched Argo (Kyle hadn't seen it yet).
Kelly provided us with reel/ real Argo information, such as
1.usa.gov/1z4Et9C
and
https://storify.com/dantedorazio/cia-tweets-argo-facts
Friday night at the Improv with Debbie
Last night (Friday night) Debbie and I went to the Improv to see headliner Aaron Kleiber. We were pleased with the comedy routine of the fellow right before him, as well, whom we greeted on the way out, too.
From http://pittsburgh.improv.com/event.cfm?id=360220
Aaron Kleiber has been entertaining his entire life — from climbing atop his grandmother’s coffee table as a child, being voted class clown in high school, to taking the stage at comedy clubs across the country today.
On the strength of his energized, crowd-pleasing live performances, Aaron Kleiber has emerged as one of the most in-demand feature acts in stand-up - touring alongside the likes of Bob Saget and Jim Breuer. Aaron has made multiple appearances on the top rated podcast "Doug Loves Movies" with Doug Benson. He’s also had the privilege to open for Emo Phillips, Bobcat Goldthwait - and one of his comedy idols, Sinbad.
Now, Aaron Kleiber, is breaking out as a bonafide headliner himself at clubs and colleges across the country.
As a standup comic, Kleiber made his nationally-televised stand-up debut on AXS Tv's 'Gotham Comedy Live' in 2013 (included in 'Best of Season 2' episode) and shortly thereafter made his second on 'Standup and Deliver' on NUVO Tv - filmed live during the Cabo Comedy Festival in 2013. Named a top 5 finalist in the Big Sky Comedy Festival, judged by the biggest names in the comedy industry (Just for Laughs, CBS, SXSW, Comedy Central).
As an accomplished comedic actor, Aaron can be seen in a guest-starring role for the Nickelodeon series 'Supah Ninjas.' He co-starred in the film 'Help Me, Help You' opposite Sabrina Bryan (The Cheetah Girls, Dancing with the Stars), appeared in the acclaimed drama, 'Warrior,' starring Tom Hardy and Nick Nolte, for Lionsgate, featured in the original series The Mercury Men, seen on the Syfy Channel- along with appearing in dozens national/regional commercials. Aaron was known early in his career for producing, writing and performing in both, the groundbreaking independent film (and subsequent Web series) Captain Blasto as well as the beloved Star Wars mockumentary, 'A Great Disturbance,' both of which claimed multiple awards and fans at film festivals and fan fests nationwide. Aaron has studied and performed at the legendary Second City in Chicago.
A native of historical steel-town, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a fixture in the city's growing comedy scene, producing multiple shows monthly - a showcase show at the Pittsburgh Improv and at Arcade Comedy Theater as standup comedy producer - Aaron was also was voted “Best Local Comedian” by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2012 and 2013.
Wednesday and Friday of 3rd Week of Lent Cycle B
Read in Bible Study Wednesday these readings:
Themes and points for discussion for this set of readings were several:
The Chronicles reading: the Lord-imposed retreat called the Sabbath or Purgatory, St. John Paul (Pope JPII) "Sin is its own punishment." Freedom leads to love.
The Ephesians reading: Grace is not meritorious, it is a "gift of God," we gain it by faith. There are consequences...my life IS my life in God. George Bennaios, attributed to St. John Vianney, "All is grace."
The Gospel reading: Nicodemus was a leader of the temple, who arrived by night re: baptism.
There are consequences. St. Philip Neri said not to reject a cross, as you will find three other, heavier crosses in its place. God wants us to freely choose to love (Him).
World vs. the Cosmos...choosing worldliness versus the Cosmos, which God sets free.
I remember what I told Maureen, that if you ask for a lighter cross, that God may truncate your cross, but when you reach the chasm, you will not be able to use your cross to ford the chasm and continue in the Way, as it is too short now. (One of the discussions of the Bible Study was regarding a posting on Facebook that one of us read a couple of years ago.)
Just some thoughts on this Sunday's readings!
My boo boos I incurred when I fell on the way back from Bible Study on Wednesday are kind of like stigmata (eek!) Five boo boos on one hand and one of the other...Five boo boos like the five wounds of Christ.
Friday, Ending Spring Break...
This is the beginning of the end of my Spring Break. Yesterday was choir practice. Continuation of Holy Week music rehearsals. Today I did two loads of dark colors. Rode the bus a couple of stops-ish to the store for wrapping for the Knights of Columbus gift basket. Also got some health, and other project items. Wrapped the gift basket with Mom. Had a bowl of cold flaky cereal for breakfast. Will complete my 221st day of a two-language learning streak soon, at level 11 for each of my languages.
We'll have egg salad sandwiches for lunch this Friday of the third week of Lent.
Wednesday- Bible Study for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Fell on the way home
Today I went to Bible Study for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Cycle B). We read the readings aloud, then discussed them. I read the Gospel reading, which included John 3:16. Will write more about these passages later.
On the way home, I slipped and fell, throwing my hands out before me to break the fall. My hands took the brunt of the fall, and I have gravel/salt crystal boo boos on my palms. I went home quickly, where I washed vigorously with soap and hot water, applied povidone-iodine, and Mom bandaged me.
~~~~~
Had lunch, a nap, organized my work files, met Charles over a smoothie, went to the library for tax forms, picked up my mail and had dinner with Mom and Dad. Watched the news and Jeopardy! and Family Feud (with Steve Harvey), and American Idol.
Yesterday watched the second time in a week The Voice.
Tuesday- Caught up with Grading: Time to Get Organizing/ Chores Finished over Spring Break
This morning I finished grading, scoring, and recording the grades for the bulk of the assignments handed in to me recently. Hooray! Sent some correpondence, and will have lunch and organize/ declutter my space at home.
Monday in the Third Week of Lent
Today I read/ lectored at Mass. Audrey was surprised to see me there, and she, Don, and I had a discussion about the bells before Mass. The celebrant today was Fr. Kris Stubna, with Oscar and Dad on television ministry. Don provided music ministry from the loft.
The entrance hymn was "from Ashes to the Living Font" and the recessional hymn was
"God Has Spoken By the Prophets"
I saw Rosemary after Mass, and we gave Don the money for her choir Easter candy.
There were < 30 people receiving Communion, as the local universities are on vacation.
I continued to grade (and finished grading) the first page of last week's quiz. I called Maureen, and will have a nap and lunch.
~~~~~
20.25
Walked/bussed to Deb's building and picked up some soup she created! Graded all but two classes of the last page of the quiz this afternoon. The resident Girl Scout and her entourage visited, and we enjoyed self-made sandwiches and cookies for dessert. There are gluten-free cookies this year, and a delivery attempt was made with the GS. Tired. An early turn-in is called for.
Third Sunday of Lent: Grading, Choir, lunch out, Grading.
Today I started the day with grading Population Genetics Prelab assignments.
It is the Third Sunday of Lent. The choir sang:
Introit: My eyes are forever turned towards the Lord,...
Entrance Hymn: O Sun of Justice
Kyrie Oris Factor
Psalm 19 (R. Proulx/ Gelineau)
Gospel Acclamation: Praise and honor, to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Preparation of the Gifts: Almighty and Everlasting God (Orlando Gibbons)
Holy, Holy: Deutsche Messe (Schubert/ Proulx)
Acclamations and Amen: Deutsche Messe (F. Schubert, arr. by R. Proulx)
Agnus Dei from the Missa Brevis (Antonio Lotti)
Communion Antiphon: Whoever drinks the water that I shall offer... (R. Farrell)
Communion: Attende Domine
Post-Communion Meditation: O Bone Jesu (Carson P. Cooman)
Recessional Hymn: Lenten Prayer for the Third Sunday of Lent.
Mom, Dad, and I ate at Panera for lunch.
I finished grading, scoring, and entering grades for the prelab assignments I had started to grade earlier.
I will relax this evening...maybe deliver Girl Scout cookies!
~~~~~
I delivered to Maureen her GS cookies, we went to East Liberty for groceries and a birthday card for her friend, and we chatted, as well about planning issues, etc.
Choir (as usual) Sunday, last week before Spring Break
It is currently Spring Break. Last Sunday was the second Sunday of Lent. This past week was the last week before Spring Break. Yesterday, there was a water main break and a succeeding power outage in our building complex and in the buildings in our block. Thus, no classes and no use of those buildings. Since there was no work meeting to prepare for the week after Spring Break, I offered to host other instructors while they observed my class the first day back after Spring Break.
Yesterday I completed a lot of grading: The Molecular Biology I through IV quizzes, and the Molecular Biology Presentations/ Reports to Boss. This morning I will grade the Biochemical Pathways Prelab assignments.
Beatrice has been very busy selling Girl Scout cookies in Mom and Dad's building and out and about. I have been helping her with the orders and deliveries in Lolo and Lola's building. Marissa and she will visit this noontime, as well.
~~~
17.20
Finished grading the Biochemical Pathways prelab today, (also took a long nap this afternoon).
