MON, TUE, WED- Work & Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens; Work @ Museum and Uptown; Career Meeting in Squirrel Hill
NOV 28- Monday, I covered for Gene at work uptown during the day. Afterwards, I joined up with Maureen, Mary G, and their Mom to tour the Winter Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The 200-years-of-Pittsburgh miniature railroad was great: with interactive buttons. The Winter Garden was nothing short of spectacular---Maureen and I spotted it from a distance, namely, Tech Street, before we entered Phipps, and I exclaimed that it looked like Disneyland! The color-changing large orbs from the last time I visited the Winter Show with Stacy were joined by conifer-shaped large lights and other special effects lights, such as the ones that looked like falling snow in the trees closest to the road. There was a violin quartet playing in the Tropical Forest, very young ladies clad in black, spotted toting their instruments around the rest of the Conservatory for the rest of our three-hour stay.
NOV 29th TUE- was training at the museum and work Uptown. Kayla and Deb stopped by to visit with me.
Nov 30th WED- Morning Mom, Dad, and I drove in the rain to Bible Study for the second Sunday of Advent. Fr. Drew led our group, and the readings were:
First Reading: IS 11:1-10
I proclaimed the Gospel Reading for our group of about 17. After returning to the computer chez Mom and Dad, I tried to take care of AIU Human Resources, and had a career meeting, to which I traveled by PAT bus. Also bought some Christmas gifts at a little boutique in Squirrel Hill. Took care of bills this evening.
SAT, SUN- Phil's Birthday with PAPAGP, First Sunday of Advent
Yesterday, SAT 26th November I drove Mom, Dad, and myself to Phil's Birthday Party, where Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh performed after dinner! Lovely Filipino and Greek appetizers, a sit-down dinner, and six people lauded Phil. We got gasoline at Get Go after the party.
Today, SUN 27th of November is the First Sunday of Advent. Fr. Mike D from the Oratory celebrated Mass with Deacon Chuck Rhoads. Christina McC cantored.
We, the choir, sang:
Entrance antiphon: Unto you have I lifted up my soul
Entrance hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Verses 1,2,3)
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
Kyrie: Mass XVI
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 122 (Michel Guimont)
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia (Jacques Berthier)
Preparation of the Gifts: Prepare the Way, O Zion (from the Swenska Psalmboken)
Sanctus: from Mass XVIII
Acclamation: from the Roman Missal
Amen, long version: Danish Mass (R. Kraehenbuehl)
Lamb of God: Missa Emmanuel (Richard Proulx)
Communion Antiphon: The Lord will bestow his loving kindness and our land will yield its fruit (Robert Farrell)
Communion Hymn: Wait for the Lord (Jacques Berthier)
Communion Meditation: Lift Up Your Heads (Arranged by Mark Schweitzer), with organ, bells, fiddle, and tambourine percussion.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: O Salutaris Hostia
WED, THU, FRI- Thanksgiving Early chez Mom and Dad/ Lola and Lolo
Shortly, William's family will arrive with Les. Kelly and Kyle are at Lolo and Lola's.
Here's the meal menu:
Miswa noodle, squash, and beef soup
Broiled marinated salmon
Mussels in white sauce
Hawaiian keeper bread buns
Savory corn pudding
White rice and
Fried Rice
Sweet Potatoes, sliced
Chocolate Silk Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Excited about all ten of us at one table!
The two sisters (corn and squash) will be represented. Kelly and I are the two sisters...Beatrice is a third sister at the table, representing the missing sister, beans/ Joyce. Hee Hee.
Earlier today chatted with Alex D at a local cafe. Ran into k & K and Stacy while there.
Had a chat at the CSL, too. Pretty busy day.
Mom and I watched an episode of Hawaii Five-O until late.
~~~~~
Additions to dinner included:
vegetarian turkey
stuffing
root vegetables dish
pot roast with vegetables
green bean casserole
(so the three sisters were present tonight!),
brought by William's family.
Wine, both white and red
~~~~~
THANKSGIVING DAY, a relaxing day...
Marissa and her dad left very early Thanksgiving morning to head to her Mom and Dad's former home.
Kelly and Kyle left before noon to pick up Montreal friends at the airport.
I went to Deb's late in the afternoon, to check on things.
~~~~~
Black Friday, I did some shopping for us---some sweets and batteries (both for energy)!
Will be bow-tying with the gang in half an hour at about eight o'clock.
I already re-instated Mom's mobile number this morning.
Work uptown mid-afternoon!
What's happened in the past 1.5 weeks; OR mid-November 2016
First of all, the 18th of November was Light-Up Night in Pittsburgh. It was 72 Fahrenheit, 22.2 Celsius last night. I wore a light breezy blouse and no jacket at work last night. People were saying it was crowded (!) and that the fireworks were wonderfully spectacular. Today, the temperature was ~ zero Celsius, and when I ventured out, there was wintry mix/ sleety rain.
WED 9th I met with a career counselor, went for my last physical therapy session, then walked to "Invisible in America," a multi-part presentation by Native American Indians and others. There was drumming and singing, a presentation of dances by community members of various ages (or, as I called it, a mini Pow Wow), a catered dinner by Conflict Kitchen, and two PITT professors gave presentations about Iroquois people and about the Allegheny Reservation.
THU 10th Nov I drove Mom and Dad to their medical appointments.
FRI 11th Nov we had presentation day, where I presented Crow Horse Woman. In the afternoon I went to work uptown for the rest of the day.
SAT 12th Nov I went to Carnegie Mellon for the Media Empowerment Student Summit. I met Alex, a colleague from PITT, there.
SUN 13th was choir singing and Donut Sunday in Synod Hall. Visited Debbie's, too.
MON 14th Nov was my outtake visit with Dr. Mac. He and I were pleased with my pain progression. I went for my tuberculosis test after that.
TUE 15th Nov was the Docent Meeting, then Docent training, then work Uptown till the end of the day. Dad drove me Uptown and picked me up, as well. Gee, thanks, Dad.
WED 16th Nov was Meet Jo Ellen at Fossil Fuels. I met with my career counselor in the early afternoon, and taught at a local library Turkey Art for the kids.
THU 17th Nov Dad drove me to be a control in a study for the morning. In the afternoon, I had my appointment for my physical for work, and Dr. L read my TB Mantoux test.
FRI 18th I had training at AIU for NonViolent Crisis Intervention by Tonia C, offered by Crisis Prevention Institute. Then, it was off to work near the Light Up Night!
General Election Day 2016
According to my neighbor, Mark, who was behind me a few people in line at the polls, he was the fourteenth voter at our polling place today...I waited in line with Rosaly. We chatted. It was nice to see Joann, Martha, and Carl there, too. All we early voters---we were in line before the 7:00 opening, in the cool, crisp air.
I will head to work at the museum soon, then get my clearance, then lunch and off to work uptown.
~~~
8.10AM WED:
The computer system is down for obtaining my clearance...worked uptown and chatted for a while with Kayla and with Debbie. Watched election results roll in.
~~~
Chose to update my 31 Oct- 7 NOV posting about Chere's passing before updating this one. Many people are saddened to hear the news of the apparent president-elect, DT. The BBC radio news this morning reported that the stock markets in various world markets are down, in response to the oldest president-elect and a non-politician being elected. Won't be the first misogyn...man! of his ilk to be elected. Won't be the first bigo/ boy! *SIGH*
31 Oct to 7 NOV 2016- Marissa's Mom Passes
MON, the afternoon of Hallowe'en I went to physical therapy with T. Will have one more appointment before being released to the doctor.
TUES through FRI, 1-4 NOV, I worked Sci-Tech Days (tabling/ demonstrating a mini robot with art). TUES and FRI I worked the afternoon/evening shift Uptown. I lectored at the 7PM All Souls Mass with Mary McC (second lector), with Don cantoring and Ken chez the Beckerath console. Went to a AIU3 meeting for outsourced teachers and paraprofessionals late THU. Skipped choir practice for it.
Marissa's Mom passed away quietly on TUE, All Saint's Day, in her sleep. No more suffering. She is at peace now. Quiet ceremony @ O Cemetary.
I had written to Marissa:
My sympathy to all of us living who were touched by Chere's Life. Know that she is being welcomed and greeted by others she knew while living here with us: Grampy Bill, Grandma June, etc.
My friend Maureen and I were praying for her. Maureen wrote:
"My sympathy to Marissa and her family. Sounds like she had suffered for awhile and now is at peace. I will keep her and your families in my prayers."
There is a song/hymn at the end of the requiem Mass that starts,"In Paradisum deducant te angeli..." When roughly translated means "MAy the angels welcome you to Paradise"...and the martyrs...And Lazarus..
May her soul be carried up to the hand of G-d, her Creator. May perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in G-d's Peace.
Visited Debbie's over the weekend. SAT went shopping in Squirrel Hill, Bloomfield, and had Mexican food in Fox Chapel with Mom and Dad.
SUN sang in Choir.
Simple, quiet MON on the 7th.
