HAd snack and movie night at Debie's home yesterday evening. Played "what movie is this actor from" and "what scene does this remind you of ". Played with the kitties, S and N as well.
posted by Grace @ 5/31/2015 07:43:00 AM
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I spent a couple of hours cleaning and organizing at home in the study, paid a bill and helped at Mom and Dad's, mailed letter and then also a package to Lori in West Virginia, chatted with Maureen to Whole Foods (where I enjoyed fresh salmon and swordfish tacos--yum!) and to Big Bird's palenke, helped her pack her kitchen items, and met a pre-defense graduate student at the bus stop, where we chatted shop while waiting for the bus and for the duration of my ride. Now I'm blogging!
posted by Grace @ 5/30/2015 05:02:00 PM
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Yesterday (Wednesday) Mom and Dad and I went to the Newman Center for Bible Study (It is cancelled for a few weeks). We went to the chapel for Eucharistic Adoration, then home for lunch and for them to call their fellow PAMS members.
I went downtown for an errand (third times's a charm!) to get my connect card. Disconnect with what the office downtown and with what the call center had been telling me (thrice!). Went home, went for a walk for frozen yogurt with Debbie. Watched Jeopardy! with Mom and Dad.
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Thursday (today) Mom, dad, and I did laundry this morning. They left to take care of PAMS items. I organized my items for this afternoon. I went 12.30 to 13:15 pm to the community open-air farmer's market on campus. Jess and I chatted there for a bit. I got a loaf of ciabatta. Will continue to look for my charm necklace. Went for a couple of hours to repair and redesign some jewelry. Chatted with Betty; had fun!
posted by Grace @ 5/28/2015 01:32:00 PM
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At the square dance Sunday night M pulled me aside to give my "advice" for their Lovefest video. I sat down with her a distance from the called live music and began my three-fold advice:
Advice
~ First, there is Balance
~ Secondly, being right is NOT more important than the relationship
~ Thirdly, is advice I give to my students at the beginning of every semester:
Get enough good sleep
Get enough good food
Get enough good exercise
every day.
That's it!
Labels: love
posted by Grace @ 5/27/2015 12:05:00 PM
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Drove Mom and Dad to his appointment at Montefiore, and I picked them up, returned some instruments to Brother's Brother Foundation, and treated them to lunch and ice cream treats at Wendy's on the North Side. I picked up a couple of books from the Carnegie Public Library (by an author mentioned at Marlin's memorial service), and left Dad there whilst Mom and I went home. We enjoyed some rest time, and I then started this and the previous entry.
posted by Grace @ 5/26/2015 06:53:00 PM
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On Friday we drove to Camp, and were soon greeted by Lori. Mom, Dad, and I arrived at the K & k Lovefest in time to greet the yoga instructor, see three calm students, walk to El Gran Sabor for dinner, join up with Arash to tape large sheets of heavy brown paper with blue tape (a.k.a. The guest book) to the tables at the camp dining hall and to prepare the favors for the guests. Soon, Barbara and Dad were consulted by Silas regarding gutting two 2-foot trout. We went to sleep at a room adjacent to the restroom at the dormitory.
Saturday morning I had a slice of bread and yogurt product at the retreat house, ate scrambled eggs with Emily P with Alice at the dining hall, helped post notice on the dormitory door/ chatted with Cecilia, then a three-caravan convoy found its way to Clay and Barbara's to pick up supplies for canoeing. We proceeded to the retreat center, where Mom and Dad and I enjoyed hot Tibetan tea with butter, milk, and salt, prepared by Ringzin, Kyle's mentor's spouse. We set up our beds for sleeping tonight. We then returned to the camp dining room where I took photos of the flame azaleas and other preparations, made one rolling hill landscape at a table closest to an entrance near the parking lot, then Mom, Dad, and I caught the end of the History of Cheat Mountain Talk, by Ruth B R at the pavilion. Met up at the dining room with William's family, where we were told the Mushroom Walk would be leaving from the pavilion where the Cheat Mountain talk was. Racing there, we found that they had already departed, so William, Beatrice, Solomon, and I stayed to observe the Bark Basket-Making Workshop with Tulip poplar bark and hickory stringing, under the guidance of Lesley G. They invited us to join in, so we each made a basket. I made one which still had a branch shoot, a whorl on the bark, and I made it whimsical. William, the children, and I enjoyed a snack/ Very late lunch of pepperoni dill rolls, quiche, salads, nutty drop cookies, and other such goodies. We relaxed and met some of Kelly's friends, and caught up with some others as well before the seven o'clock dinner for out-of-towners---Karen and Roger joined me at our end of our table. The food was as abundant as the Love flowed that weekend! We started with vegan entrees of crostini with schmears, a diced sweet potato dish, quinoa dish, shredded kale salad, and green salad. We progressed to ricotta/ stuffed savory crepes, chicken, and seasoned ox tail. I took photos of each table dining. There was a puppet show near the end of dinner presented by the children. The out-of-towners' dinner was with Paul Lucchesi
Sunday I had food of Mimi's 12-grain bread and butter, and we left the retreat house to then participate in the 10 AM first two rounds of the Contest of World Skills of Physical and Mental Agility!!! I was on Team Orange. Our first round consisted of shooting an air gun, tying knots, and chopping wood. Round two consisted of the bicycling and mobile phone texting around obstacles on a course. At 2 PM we enjoyed lunch: baa-baa-barbacoa, vegetarian tacos, and trout hard, open tacos – South Philly Barbacoa. William, Solomon, and I rode with Jackie and Jasmine to the farm talk, led by Mike K of his family farm (Charm Farm) an organic farm in the Tygart River Valley. Mike, along with his mom, runs the 260-acre Charm Farm – a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm. We toured the farm, weeded onions, and toured the crop tunnels. I spotted a question mark butterfly in the penultimate tunnel we visited. I found my blank paper in front of me at the dining hall, and made another abstract hills landscape. Part of potluck dinner back at camp consisted of starters of asparagus and roasted vegetables. Soon after, a piper played a slow reel, followed by a four-step fling, to which Will danced. A presentation and a speech by Anjila and Claire S followed, respectively. Then it was time for potluck desserts/ pie, which included four of Mom's leche plans, and rhubarb pie, among many others. I took photos outside of the landscape at dusk (some of which included Beatrice, and as BB relates, some were taken of BB and me), then it was time for the square dancing! at ~20.00 with the SFI All Stars, and our first caller was Mary Alice M. We left the dance at about 23.00, but not before dancing the Virginia Reel and various other circle and set dances.
Monday I awoke at about 4.30 AM and couldn't get back to sleep, so I showered at about 7.00 and took photos of the misty, foggy landscape. I chatted with Ringzin, and Mom and I chatted with Ringzin. I taught Ringzin's two boys the American Sign Language for Burger King, which was their request for a late lunch. We returned to the retreat center to hand off a box for Kelly, to collect the instruments/ tools we lent for the guessing game, and to bid farewell to everyone, including the English contingent. We arrived after 20.00 back in Pittsburgh, after a detour via the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
posted by Grace @ 5/26/2015 05:28:00 PM
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Mom and I donated items on the South Side Saturday (yesterday).
Last night I organized a "gal's night out" at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. I invited three of my girlfriends to the PSO ( Mijung, Christina, and my coworker Regina). The program was a 4-movement piece called Alternative Energy for Orchestra and Electronica by a Pennsylvanian, Mason Bates, who utilized two Apple computers wired to speakers on either side of the stage to provide electronic sounds. Bates was featured last season as a Composer-In-Residence, and the piece was evocatively picturesque, with visions of everything from cranking an old car to start it, to a Fermilab particle collider. This was followed by a discussion of Bela Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra by the evening's conductor, Michael Francis. He brought the Hungarian composer's work from a personal philosophical statement on folk music into a larger historical political view. After an intermission, the evening ended with the performance of the vigorous Bartok concerto.
I noted to one of my friends/seatmates, a coworker who is also a church organist, that I liked the custom suit of the visiting conductor---very snappy. Regina treated all of us to dessert at Franco's across the street. I had the chocolate cake/ vanilla ice cream roll with ganache.
Mijung spotted the grandson/ grandpa pair from Schenley Plaza at the PSO! She was so taken...
posted by Grace @ 5/17/2015 09:45:00 AM
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Today I went downtown to replace my current card with a Connect Card. Turns out I was missing something. Stopped in Macy's to leche vitrine.
Yesterday I went to the 6.00 Mass for the Ascension. Fr. Kris Stubna celebrated. Choir practice followed, and Colin rehearsed the last 3 pieces with us. Don with Doug had us celebrate with wine and cheese.
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Today, I ran into Nancy C-M in a hallway. I picked up Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra tickets, went to the bank, and walked by the bicycle to work booths. Saw Lily R there, who is bicycling and taking Gen Chem 2 this summer. Walked back and took some photos along the way. Showered (again) and Mom and Dad are getting ready for a memorial service for one of their neighbors.
Went to a Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Marlin, who passed away the same day as the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. And what a Titanic person! Professor, teacher, researcher, inventor. We arrived at the Presbyterian church in time to hear the strains of Sean O'Donnell piping on the front steps. The program consisted of familiar classical and traditional chestnuts, from Christian prayer and musical repertoire. It included
Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring played on solo violin
Amazing Grace sung by a tenor
Traumerai on solo violin and piano
Flor Peeters's Pater Noster in English, sung by the tenor
Remembrances
Scripture Readings, including a congregation reading of the 23rd Psalm,
A Meditation by Rev. Lynn M Portz, Associate Pastor of Shadyside Presbyterian Church
The Pater Noster recited/ read in English by the congregation.
We greeted Nancy after the service, said hello to the Fitzsimmons, and scooted to 12.05 Mass at the Cathedral, which was celebrated by Fr. Joe Freedy. Ran into Dr. Aurora M, Malou and Bob, and EJ's parents there. Mom and Dad and I took EJ's parents out for lunch at the Hokkaido buffet, as it is their 39th wedding anniversary. Went home briefly, then met up with Debbie and Mijong at the Conflict Kitchen...Palestinian food (still). We walked to Carnegie Mellon, and Mijong is going with me for gal's night out at the symphony. Two more tickets remain!
posted by Grace @ 5/15/2015 10:25:00 AM
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I brought Mom and Dad to Bible Study this morning.
I had lunch with Lisa R at Fossil Fuels. We enjoyed hot dog, BBQ chicken pizza, and chocolate pudding with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Went to Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help at the Cathedral with Mom and Dad. Fr. Adam V celebrated with Ted W serving.
posted by Grace @ 5/13/2015 09:37:00 PM
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Monday (yesterday) I attended noon Mass at the Cathedral. There were so many people that Fr. Kris had to obtain more Eucharistic hosts for a handful of communicants. Made some plans for the rest of the summer. Watched Dancing with the Stars with Mom and Dad. It was close to 90 Fahrenheit today.
Cleaned my study early this morning. Made sandwiches for Mom and Dad and I for lunch today. Took a nap, and took care of some communications (voice and email). Weeded my Biology files afterwards. Had tinola, torta with turkey sausage, and pineapple for dinner tonight. We'll watch Jeopardy! after the Nightly News, then watch Dancing with the Stars Semifinals afterwards.
posted by Grace @ 5/12/2015 06:21:00 PM
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Today is Mother's Day. I awoke early ~4.45, did a little bit of organizing about my home, had breakfast and started to prepare Mom's breakfast and agenda card for the day:
posted by Grace @ 5/10/2015 08:17:00 AM
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Friday (yesterday) Mom and Dad, Les and Marissa and I went to Solomon's school to hear the first grade classes present "Welcome to Our Neighborhood." Solomon portrayed an ant in "Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?" and then his class sang "C is for Cookie," after which they transitioned to the next class with "Who are the People in my Neighborhood." A couple of other classes made musical presentations, and the Closing Song was "I do not want to live on the Moon," which made me think of my 3-D artwork after a visit to the Carnegie Museum of Art a number of years ago. The costuming was wonderful for all the productions, and we joined Solomon and his classmates for refreshments in their classroom afterwards. Friday evening Debbie, Mijung, and I went to the Carnegie Science Awards, honoring innovation in science and technology. Ran into Linda O who put a silent auction bid in for Segway tours! Mijung reallee wanted a rustic chair, which ended up going to a CSC person! Over the dessert I chatted with Danielle C, and her advisor. Danielle is the Carnegie Mellon graduate student working on improving solar cells and generating hydrogen from light. Chatted with Suvir M's (who won last year, as well)'s lab partner, Konrad (and his parents). They are the senior high students who worked on text to image conversions for people with.... I forget.... O! aphasia. Also met Ben B. from the Falk Laboratory School who explored the creative use of algae as biofuel.
Today (Saturday) Mom and I went shopping in Bloomfield. We had a late lunch/early dinner ("lunner"/ "lupper") of fried chicken and fixings. We joined William's family and Les and Cherie for Beatrice's piano recital. She played Toccatina (Kabelevsky). We gave BB two blosson pens and a hardcover rainbow blank book from Ireland. We went to Pizza Fest in the park, and Mom and Dad and I were invited to eat some free pizza from Caliente on our way in...after which William wanted to join the Spak Brothers Pizza-Eating Contest. Mom and I shook our heads sorrowfully, our bellies full after dinner and free pizza. The kids walked about for a bit with William and Marissa, before we all headed to our respective homes.
posted by Grace @ 5/09/2015 07:58:00 PM
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Monday I visited some friends in Oakland, traded in a CD for a couple CDs,
Tuesday I went to the North Side for a tour. Went to Aldi and didn't buy mangoes.
Wednesday morning was Bible Study for the sixth Sunday of Easter (cycle B). I read for the group reading 1: ACTS 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48. Fr. Drew mentioned the times one should HALT: when Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. We asked questions about the order in which the followers found the Holy Spirit and then were baptized....Another order than how the Sacraments are carried out now. (God showed Love for us through the Sacraments....but the Sacraments are not necessary to receive the gifts of God.)
Reading 2 is my friend Judy Dear's favorite Biblical passage: 1 JN 4:7-10 . We discussed how St. Augustine said "Love and do as you will; Love and you can do nothing but good," that we all sin, but we realign to God constantly.
The Gospel reading this Sunday will be: JN 15:9-17 . John, the author, writes about "abide"/"remain" more than several times in this passage. This passage occurs after the washing of the feet at the Last Supper. The Cathedral choir sings Mandatum during the washing of the feet: "I give you a new commandment: That you love one another as I have loved you." The commissioning in this Gospel passage is thus: "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you," which is the Eucharist. We discussed teleos, the goal for today. We also discussed the Four Loves by C.S. Lewis, including the Platonic agape, self-emptying kinosis. We also discussed the meaning of "mandatum" and Maundy Thursday.
Thursday (today) I went for our annual Freshman Programs training. This year we have multiple sessions and combine FP 0001 training with FP 0003 training. I cleaned out some files at Mom and Dad's home. Maureen and I went shopping/ window shopping at Bakery Square. It was choir practice again, and a newcomer, Beth, joined us. Chatted with Don after choir.
posted by Grace @ 5/07/2015 10:17:00 PM
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This morning I went to a corner before the halfway mark of the Pittsburgh Marathon about half an hour after the start of the wheelchair racers...they started to arrive about 40 minutes after the start of the race. Stayed, saw neighbors, Fr. Mark T, and Susan and Charles.
Went to noon Mass (no choir today) with Mom and Dad, and Bishop William Winter concelebrated with Fr. Kris and another priest. Don provided music ministry from the loft.
We made tacos for lunch (yumm!), I worked on communiques this afternoon.
posted by Grace @ 5/03/2015 06:00:00 PM
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Dad and I went to morning Mass today. Fr. Adam V celebrated, with John De F serving. Audrey C lectored/ read, and Ken provided music ministry from the portative organ. Oscar served as one of the television ministers.
Spoke to a friend out East after wards. I stopped by PittARTS and chatted with Annabelle there, then went to Squirrel Hill afterwards to pick up some paperwork. Had lunch, stopped by payroll at Pitt, and helped Mom with documents and sending them electronically. Went to Bloomfield to get some fried chicken. The children and William will be at Mom and Dad's shortly. We will have fried chicken, pakbit, lump crabcakes, and rice. Marissa won't join us tonight.
posted by Grace @ 5/01/2015 06:22:00 PM
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Days in the life of me.
