Phipps Conservatory and Bible Study
It was great to meet up with William, Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon for an afternoon trip to Phipps Conservatory. We even explored
the Discovery Gardens. We saw banana palms,
a maze and
mists in the garden,
the Longfellow glass figurines, Chihuly glass, and the Desert Room (don't touch anything---it's prickly!), and the Victorian Room (where there is a programmable fountain). Solomon treated every encounter with a plant as an interactive adventure. Beatrice insisted on pushing the umbrella stroller to the car by herself.
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Went to the last summer Bible Study. We read James, Chapter 5. We also referred to James 5:16-18 when reading I Kings 17:17-24, which I pointed out and read to our group. Christina, Rachel, and I chatted with Beth, whom Christina knew from secondary school.
Went to physical therapy earlier in the day and also ran errands.
Labels: Beatrice, Chihuly, Faith, garden, glass, niece and nephew, Phipps, read, school
Last Week Meeting as a Class, Spring 2009
This was the last week our laboratory classes met as a class before the practical exam. It is photosynthesis week, and, as usual, I dress in the colors of a spring leaf, replete with green photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a) and yellow/yellow-orange photosynthetic pigments (namely, the carotenoids---the xanthophylls and carotenes): The predominant pigments and the accessory pigments, respectively. It is a week chock-full of activities in lab and accessory to lab, and not completely relaxed. I had two current students request recommendations from me for summer or next-school year's plans. They also spend some time at the Phipps Conservatory doing lab activities before the final practical exam.
Labels: biology, Phipps, Pittsburgh, student, teaching, work
Kelly's Arrival December 2008, Winter Vacation Days 2008
Friday, I attended morning Mass, and went to physical therapy (with pool work) in the afternoon.
Kelly arrived from NYC after several hiccups in taking off on Saturday. I had lunch with Jen McG. at Camille's. She gave me a ride to Phipps, where I met up with Regina and John. Her friend, Susan, with her friend Robert and her brother Ken joined up with us later. John and I had fun collecting stamps around the conservatory. Susan especially liked the train and the banana blossoms in the room farthest west. Ken particularly liked the prickly and hairy extensions on the succulents in the Desert Room. We all liked Santa's seat (darn! we just missed him!) and the Dale Chihuly glass artwork. Regina gave me a nice Christmas gift before we departed.
That afternoon, while Kelly napped, Mom and I wrapped lumpia.
Dinner was shared with Mom and Dad, William, Kelly, Beatrice, Solomon, and I. We all missed Marissa.
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Sunday the 21st called for me to rehearse before Mass for choir. This is the last Sunday we are singing at the BVM altar in front of the congregation. I spotted Jim B., my former boss, and his wife, Sandy. I stopped by and spoke with him---he updated me on his family's doings. After Mass, the soprani and alti practiced the Fugue...with Ken directing at the piano.
I met a family from NJ outside church, and Mom, Dad, and I ate lunch together. Dad and I went to the public library (I had mentioned the printer capabilities to my friend Maureen earlier in the weekend; and we have been without Internet accessibility at home for over a week and a half), and I helped Maureen troubleshoot her flight problems (we made a run to her apartment for documents). Kelly, Mom, Dad, and I went to Eat 'N' Park near Jo-Anne S.'s apartment for dinner.
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Monday the 22nd brought an appointment to my primary care physician and a visit to Tokyo Buffet by the whole family---Mom, Dad, Kelly, me (William and Marissa and children arrived much later due to a flat tire). I had a nice long nap afterwards.
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Tuesday the 23rd (today) brought a visit to physical therapy, lunch at Taco Bell, and yet another annual visit to the specialist.
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I've been writing/answering Christmas cards this week, and look forward to singing at Christmas Eve Mass. I've also been answering my students' emails from various computers on campus, at UPMC, and in the public library.
Labels: anniversary, Choir, dining, email, family, friends, gift, glass, list, Mass, Phipps, singing, St. Paul Cathedral, water exercise
Chihuly
Volunteered for the Chihuly exhibit at Phipps again tonight. I saw Rachel, a former student who took my class in the Fall of 2005. She's now a double science major, and we talked about that. I'm still entranced by the colors and shapes of Chihuly. Evy, another volunteer, saw a detail from one of my paintings on my cell phone and commented that I like "Chihuly colors."
Labels: art, Chihuly, glass, painting, Phipps, teaching, work
It only gets better
each time you visit the Dale Chihuly glass installation at the Phipps Conservatory. Five museum-quality glass pieces were purchased by patrons within a three-hour time span today. I am impressed with the installation, how Pittsburgh's Phipps conservatory has custom-designed plantings, and it gets better every time I visit or work there. What a magical, transporting landscape/interior architectural feat I am treated to each time.
Labels: art, Chihuly, glass, Phipps, Pittsburgh
Colonel Mustard, in the Conservatory, with Chihuly glass
In the South Conservatory, during our tour, it reminded me of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory---with large, multicolored, swirled glass balls afloat in the darkened waters and also placed in a small boat, all surrounded by foliage and lit from the glass conservatory ceiling.
Oh, dear reader, I forgot to inform you that I have chosen to volunteer for the Chihuly glass exhibit at the Phipps Conservatory this summer. This evening, I attended the volunteer training session, which included guest services training, watching four slide presentations, filling out paperwork, and a tour at dusk and twilight of the Chihuly exhibit. Absolutely stunning use of color, shape, texture, and echoes of organic forms. The Phipps Conservatory is one of the 8 conservatories that have hosted Chihuly's work. Phipps also has the resources to tailor the plantings and waterways in the exhibit around the glass installations. What a wonderful treat for the eyes and the senses!
Labels: art, Chihuly, glass, Phipps, Pittsburgh
May Market 2007
Yesterday evening William, Marissa, Beatrice, and I visited May Market in Mellon Park. We had the deeelish mushroom sandwiches that my birder friend recommended. We admired the plants and crafts; and we were dutifully booted out of the antiques hall right after closing time.
Marissa took a few pics with William & Beatrice and I as she marvelled at the leaves of a tree.
William noted earlier that evening that she has started to "track" with her eyes--follow as he points out and explains features of their backyard, for example. As her mommy says, she is getting to be a "smartie."
We enjoyed Pancakes Parawawa after our little outing.
Labels: Beatrice, Phipps, Pittsburgh
Christmas Week 2006
Christmas Day 2006 started with an early (9am) day at William, Marissa, and Beatrice's home. I helped make monkey bread, and a breakfast veggie sausage casserole was there with squeezed orange juice. Kelly, Mom, and Dad arrived a little later. Since I was rushing to choir, after dining, I was first to open my gifts from my family. As I departed, the family noted that we were so polite and genteel in opening the gifts so carefully and in turn. I sang in choir the noon prelude and Mass. I spent the afternoon at Mom and Dad's.
On Tuesday, the 26th of December 2006, Marissa and I alternated with William babysitting and going out. We went to the Waterworks Mall, returned to their home so William could go to the Apple Store, and then went out again to the Waterfront. The girls and Mom and Dad enjoyed Christmas high tea at my house. In addition to tea, juices, fruits, fruitcake, savory crispies, and homemade cookies; we enjoyed a theme of mint chocolate in the remaining cookies and candies. mMMMmm Delicious. That evening I had a chance to talk for a while about the Ireland trip with my friend Donough.
On Wednesday, the 27th of December 2006, I recorded my show at the radio station, gave a ride home to Joe and Tina, Louise and Dylan. Soon after I met up with Jen to practice our sung carols for Maggie and Ken's wedding prelude. We met her husband Brian at the Carnegie Library, where I picked out CDs and travel books on Ireland, visited with the people in the children's department, and where Brian selected a cookie the size of a face. That evening Charles and I talked about the end of this year...
On Thursday, the 28th of December 2006, I walked to get some bloodwork done as ordered by my primary care physician, then walked to Mom and Dad's for some breakfast, and took a well-deserved nap. As there was no choir rehearsal that evening, Babs invited me for a holiday/Christmas evening on the town. We started by viewing the presepio and trees in Architecture Hall at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History; dined at Phipps and visited the Winter Flower show and the new Thai Rainforest Addition at Phipps Conservatory; listened to a bit of a Christmas program by the East End Kids; then headed to Hartwood Acres for the Eckerd Festival of Lights. What a show! I remember the light displays at Oglebay as a child (back in the day), and how the lights seemed to move then...these lights at Hartwood had finer detail and the themes of scenery were broader than what I recall from the Oglebay lights many moons ago. "There's something for everyone here!" I exclaimed to Babs. "There's Christmas scenes, and Santa scenes, and Hanukkah scenes, and the 12 days of Christmas, and Santa's elves, and Christmas bears, and tunnels of LIGHTS!" We thought it was well worth the 12 miles/one hour wait.
On Friday, the 29th of December 2006, I had an appointment with my specialist physician south of Pittsburgh. I returned, took care of some things at home, then met up with Jen downtown, visited the creche--the only replica of the Vatican creche--then met up with Brian to help set up the reception hall for Maggie and Ken's dinner. The rehearsal at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church started at 6pm. Jen and I had a chance to marvel at the interior of the domed church and the ornate decorations and Christmas decorations, as well as to visit each altar in the building. As usual, the church was festooned in garlands and trees and lights and poinsettias. It was well-appreciated by us. Jen and Brian and I headed to Del's Restaurant for the rehearsal dinner, during which we met coworkers Bob and his wife Sis, and Patty. The food was outstanding, as usual: Pizza, salad, pasta, meatballs, chicken, etc.
Today, Saturday, the 30th of December 2006, I arrived ~an hour and a half before Ken and Maggie's nuptial Mass to practice with the organist, Doris. I explained my situation to Toni, who guided me through the Church building (while the soloist Jody sang) and led me to the choir steps. I entered the loft where Doris and Jodi, who is 28 weeks pregnant, greeted me as soon as the song was over. After introductions, I waited for Jen to arrive, after which we practiced the two carols, Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming and Coventry Carol. We looked around for programs and encountered the bride right before her wedding....The ceremony went smoothly and we marvelled at the view from the choir loft. After greeting them with sparklers, I followed Jen and her parents to the reception site, which held all their family and friends as well as cookie, drink, dip, and snack tables. I saw and chatted with Maggie's friends Donna and Kianna, and Patty, Bob and Sis, and Esther. We took pictures of Jen's family and me, and CAC alumni pictures before enjoying some wedding cake.
Labels: Carnegie, Christmas, Church, friends, Mass, Phipps, read, RIS, singing
