Maybe it's better that Michael Grimm will be touring the country, will win a $1M prize, and become a Las Vegas act. Jackie Evancho's parents can better direct her career as a young operatic vocalist if she didn't partake in Michael's future scenario (above).
Labels: music, singing, talent, TV
posted by Grace @ 9/16/2010 09:48:00 AM
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...Michael Grimm and Jackie Evancho are in the top two after the two obviously Las Vegas-type acts were in 4th and 3rd place: Prince Poppycock and Fighting Gravity, respectively.
Channel 11 news at 11 o'clock p.m. will interview Jackie Evancho.
~~~~
9.52pm
I think it will be Jackie, the girl with pure, unadulterated talent.
~~~~~
9.57pm
Michael Grimm won America's Got Talent.
~~~~~~
22.21
I hope that Jackie will get a scholarship, maybe to someplace like Carnegie Mellon, Yale School of Music, or Julliard....such a talented young person!
Labels: music, singing, talent, TV
posted by Grace @ 9/15/2010 08:03:00 PM
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I watched NBC's America's Got Talent, the final four episode. Kelly and her accordian group were in the NYC audition, visible at the beginning of this season.
Tonight in the final four episode were Prince Poppycock, Michael Grimm, Jackie Evancho, and Defying Gravity. Jackie exhibited new young raw talent not seen [anywhere else] in the world, to paraphrase Peers. In the episode that landed her in the top four, she thanked "Pittsburgh and everyone [who voted]." I was so moved by her rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria" that I took to the website to vote multiple times. She has a fresh, youthful outlook that hasn't been squelched. What a gifted, hardworking young lady!
posted by Grace @ 9/14/2010 10:23:00 PM
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It was fun to go to a potluck cookout for Sunday before Labor Day. There was "really good Corn," too.
Labor Day I renewed my library books due the following day (Tuesday, today).
Today I met with a student, M, to make-up the first lab. I then walked to get a Blue Bunny ice cream cone and to meet with my friend and discuss various things, including some recent writing I have been doing. Also had an appointment. I helped Mom with the laundry, and then we had dinner, which Dad joined us for after his Bible study. We also watched America's Got Talent, as well.
Labels: biology, Carnegie, dine, Faith, laundry, library, TV, work
posted by Grace @ 9/07/2010 11:13:00 PM
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Just watched the semi-finals of America's Got Talent, which finished with Jackie Evancho singing Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu." How wonderful was that! What a lovely ten-year-old girl with a BIG voice...how emotionally touching and what amazing breath control. She deserves the best.
..and she's from Pittsburgh!
posted by Grace @ 9/07/2010 11:00:00 PM
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Tuesday I was to go with Maureen to Ross Park Mall. We planned to meet Nancy C there. I volunteered to drop off a package of art glass to Joyce (she left it in Mom and Dad's car) at Gene and Phyllis's home. I went to the gas station, filled up the tank, then went to the coffee shop across from Maureen's home. When attempting to start the car, it wouldn't. Dad came by and waited for the tow truck for us, bringing the other car.
Maureen and I stopped by Gene and Phyllis' home, saying bye to the the whole family. As 79 S was backed up, we took 19 S and picked up Krispy Kreme donuts on the way. We met up with Nancy at Ross Park Mall, and I got quilting pins for Mom at Jo-Ann's Fabrics.
I received good news in snail mail today.
Wednesday, I went to the Newman Center for discussion of this Sunday's (Assumption) readings. Spoke to some of my friends in the evening. Car still in the shop.
Thursday, I spoke with my health coach (I had lost weight and had gained it back in the same time period---time to analyze in a 2-day span my caloric intake). Mom had a hairstyling appointment at 10.15. Mom, Dad, and I had burgers across from the Park where we went at ~12.40pm. Beatrice won a lottery to get a bike and helmet from the City. The Mayor presented it to her. Lolo, Lola, her mommy and brother, and I were there.
I picked up a book at the library, my "homework" to read, c/o S.
I watched the silent film, the Student Prince, based on a book called Old Heidelberg.
Today we picked up my car at the garage from repairs. I later met Marissa and children at the restaurant across from her exercise facility. We had fun eating 18.00-20.00! I then watched Lisa Kudrow on the new show "Who do you think you are?"
Labels: automobile, bicycle, Carnegie, cinema, dining, Faith, farewell, friends, library, niece and nephew, politics, repair, shopping, snacks, TV
posted by Grace @ 8/13/2010 09:04:00 PM
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Monday day I went with Marissa and the children to the Mount Washington library (closed) and to the Science Center (open!). Monday evening Maureen and I went to Waterworks Mall, where we looked for travel items for her and I got sushi.
Tuesday morning Mom and I picked up my car at the shop, where it has been in repairs since Thursday afternoon. I spoke with my weight management coach, and then went for physical therapy. Tuesday was a Day for the Car, as the battery was dead after I exited physical therapy. Mom and I went shopping, and in the evening Maureen and I went to the Waterfront. Shops were closing soon after we purchased her swim cap.
Yesterday (Wednesday) I went for my annual blood work. I went to the computer lab afterwards, and completed some computer work, as well. Mom and I watched "America's Got Talent," where we noted that a large number of Portland contestants were pushed through to Vegas.
~~~
Time for physical therapy.
Labels: automobile, computer, exercise, health, international culture, library, museum, repair, shopping, swim, talent, travel, TV
posted by Grace @ 6/24/2010 09:46:00 AM
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Tuesday Mom, Dad, and I babysat Beata and Solomon. We played, ate lunch, sang karaoke, napped (well, some of us did!) and I left when they did. Marissa had jury duty, for which none of the groups were called. I left to go to physical therapy with Keelan and a student, Kristen. Dinner was with Geannie and Jerry at his home: Stuffed shells, Brussel sprouts, salad, bread, and strawberry pie that Geannie brought.
I left at quarter to nine to join Mom and Dad watching America's Got Talent. Kelly and her accordian buddies were on the show!
~~~
Wednesday was grocery shopping day, with an appointment in the afternoon.
~~~
Today I had my first non-assessment appointment with my weight management coach. I have lost 1 to 3.5 pounds since starting to journal my food intake a week and a half or so ago. I had physical therapy with Cara at noon today. Lunch was composed of many diverse foods!
~
Went for a walk with Maureen to Carnegie Mellon, to the Randy Pausch bridge (I've never seen the lights WHITE until now) and through the Kraus garden, with its mountain laurel.
What a beautiful night it was for walking...cool, yet not crisp, with light illuminating the spires of St. Paul Cathedral and the Cathedral of Learning. Clear skies. Just lovely.
Labels: dine, exercise, family, health, music, niece and nephew, singing, sleep, talent, TV, walking
posted by Grace @ 6/17/2010 03:17:00 PM
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Mom, Dad, and I will go to Mass this morning---Sacred Heart of Jesus is the celebration. Labels: Birthday, celebration, Grandma, Mass, music, St. Paul Cathedral, TV
~~~
9.07
Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass, Matt H lectored, John DeF. served, Dad provided the television ministry, and Don provided the music ministry.
posted by Grace @ 6/11/2010 07:30:00 AM
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I acquired tickets to Yasmina Reza's ART downtown at the O'Reilly Theater. Dad and I went to the performance, and the performance was about a man (Serge)'s purchase of a white canvas work of art, and his ensuing discussions with his friends. Scathing!
The piece had the flavor of a Jerry Seinfeld episode, moments of a Neil Simon play, and, about 2/3 of the way through, of Sartre's Huis Clos/No Exit. The actors portryaed their characters with full engagement with each other. (In order of appearance:)
Marc was played by Rob Breckenridge
Serge was played by Darren Eliker
Yvan was portrayed by Harry Bouver
~~~
Started a weight management program today. Initially recommended for me was a 1500 Calorie intake. I don't think I can do that, as my average intake for 7 out of 8 of the past days has been ~2000 Calories. My low end was ~1700, and my high was ~2600 for the past week. <1700 was recommended for me this morning.
~~~
I also went to physical therapy this afternoon. Cara gently stepped up the duration of my workout by adding to sets of (initially) 10 until they were 15.
Labels: Calorie, exercise, theater, TV
posted by Grace @ 6/10/2010 03:58:00 AM
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Slept in!
Went to the grocery store for lunch supplies.
Made hotdogs and green salad, had a great meal with Mom and Dad while it poured rain outside.
Worked on a couple of projects, went home for a 3+ hour nap.
Had dinner that Dad made.
Watched the news and Jeopardy! with Mom.
Worked on computer projects, watched part of the Stanley Cup finals.
Went home and worked on more lists and answered emails.
Hit the sack--retired for sleep---late.
Labels: dine, email, family, list, shopping, sleep, travel, TV
posted by Grace @ 6/01/2010 05:22:00 AM
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Sprung up early this morning to get my papers in order and to (finish?) grade. Just checked my email, checked my withdrawals from class...ready to go!
8.26 am
2/3rds + finished grading...I took a break after the 2/3rds mark to make cinnamon bread French toast and eggs for the folks and me.
10.12 am
7/9ths finished grading. Taking a break to write more to this blog entry...
12.02 pm
5/6ths finished grading. Time to grade to the bottom of page 7 for one section, then lunch, then clean-up, then watching Mother's Day on Ice (figure skating) on television, then an hour-long nap.
17.06
8/9ths finished grading.
18.11
17/18ths finished grading.
I'm in the home stretch now!
Labels: biology, dine, school, sleep, sports, TV, work
posted by Grace @ 4/24/2010 05:32:00 AM
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Mom and I recycled (tried to) some clothes today. We ended up at East End Food Coop, Giant Eagle Market District, and Shur Fine for grocery shopping this afternoon.
After watching some of Dancing with the Stars with Mom after dinner tonight, Karina and I walked to the student union at the University of Pittsburgh for the Latin American Celebration. We saw a number of our friends there: Lilly, Enrique and Gabriela, Carlos P (from Timbeleza, a percussion band), and Philip and Tim (from Global Pittsburgh). We heard about the mom of one of the students, a great local leader in the Latin American community (Salome), who recently passed away. We dined on a plate of Peruvian food and Argentinian ricotta pie. There was salsa, tango, merengue, and other Latin dancing throughout the evening.
We enjoyed the walk home in the brisk night air.
Labels: dancing, dine, dining, friends, international culture, recycle, school, shopping, TV, walking
posted by Grace @ 3/27/2010 11:42:00 PM
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Full day. Taught all morning, office hours to mid-afternoon. Picked up Mom and Dad at the airport, and we went to Mass (officiated by Bishop David Zubik) at six in the evening. Many many people were there (SRO), and it took until past six forty-five to just to distribute the ashes, with many ministers helping. Then it was time for the liturgy of the Eucharist.
We enjoyed a dinner of salmon (marinated), corn, salad, rice, and stewed tomatoes. Yum. Mom and Dad began to unpack their bags, and then I departed to an early bedtime.
Just sent some emails, will crawl back into the warmth of my bed soon.
Labels: dine, Mass, seasons, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, TV, Zubik
posted by Grace @ 2/18/2010 03:29:00 AM
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How telling were some of our buzzed-in answers for TV honor society back in high school. Practically anyone on our four-person team could have answered any question that our team got correct, but the fastest-fingered ones were for questions in our future (now current) fields of work:
Charles--features of European architecture
me--anatomy,
Then there were the questions that we just "got":
Ed--a math question
me--knowledge about a boxer from the first half of the Twentieth Century.
Labels: art, biology, friends, philosophical, school, TV, work
posted by Grace @ 2/06/2010 08:41:00 AM
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Here is a link from Glamour Magazine that shows how successful game show contestents have similar qualities as successful dates.
• Be open-minded.
• Stay engaged with the interviewer and the world around you.
• Learn to laugh at yourself.
• Energy, energy, energy!
• Be authentic.
As someone who teaches, I realize that I tell my students ideas for studying from game shows:
• Have a study group.
• Divvy up the work.
• Make up sample questions and quiz each other.
• Play the game!
• Be ready for virtually any fair question.
• It's okay to look foolish...but only while practicing.
• It's all up to YOU in the end.
• Don't be surprised by comprehensive questions. It's a final exam.
• Don't be surprised by manipulatives: It's a practical exam.
Of course, I don't necessarily say the above-mentioned sentences. I tell them specific advice from a lab, examples. Some of them "get" it, and others don't listen. It's not up to me to make them do their work.
So, the theme for today's blog post is GAME SHOWS.
Mom's favorite game show is Jeopardy! She's been watching it since the beginning. Intelligentia trivia, I see why she likes it so much.
Karina mentioned this week a game show similar to "Name that Tune" from India at which I would be good. Linking music....
Game shows: One of my favorite genres for watching tv, and for helping students to study.
I must write more in a future post.
Labels: games, list, love, student, surprise, teaching, tests, TV, work
posted by Grace @ 1/02/2010 09:40:00 AM
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I was organizing and doing paperwork at my home when Dad called to invite me to celebrate the New Year with him and Mom.
I brought my paperwork over, proceeded to prepare the cold cuts, cheeses, fruit, dips, bread and crackers, and chocolates for our New Year celebration. I put 20.10 in my "wallet." We watched the Dick Clark ABC special as the ball dropped in New York City. We leapt up and shouted out as the new year arrived. Then, munching and toasting (in various languages). Mom and I did our respective paperwork projects as Dad slept. I'm back at home and happy and thankful for another year, full of promise and hope.
Labels: celebration, dine, family, sleep, thankfulness, TV
posted by Grace @ 1/01/2010 02:23:00 AM
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I sang with the choir today, the Feast of the Holy Family 2009. We sang Coventry Carol for the preparation of gifts, and Rutter's Christmas Lullaby (our "signature song") after hymns for communion. Stopped in the sacristy to sign off that I do NOT pick up the printed readings for Mass, as I read them on the "USCBC [sic] web site." The United States Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops' web site has the daily Mass readings. Said hello to Carol & Princess, and Fr. Josh after Mass, as well.
Kelly prepared fresh green bean casserole, roasted veggie mix, and we had various cold cuts and meat loaf, too. We enjoyed the Brooklyn chocolate bars: dark chocolates with truffles and sea salt (savory) and one with pecans and maple syrup (sweet). We also enjoyed stollen with marzipan, and fudge with mint creme. We chatted about our extended family, and are preparing to play a board game.
~~~
Played Upwords with Kelly, Mom, and Dad. 
The end of the game brought my laying my last tile, and Mom, Kelly, and Dad unable to lay their last tile. We watched the longer version of The Sound of Music. I then set up bill paying for an additional account tonight, as well as checked my email.
Labels: Choir, cinema, dine, email, games, Mass, photos, read, St. Paul Cathedral, TV
posted by Grace @ 12/27/2009 05:33:00 PM
0 comments
Yesterday I finished grading my quizzes from last week. I'll drop them off today for the students to pick up before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Yesterday Mom and I watched "Dancing with the Stars" with Donny Osmond, Kelly Osbourne, and Mya. We commented heavily on their performances.
This morning I'll go for some bloodwork, then Mom and I will go for our hair cuts, too.
~ ~ ~
~9:30
This morning I dropped off the graded quizzes, notified my students by email of the papers, entered the grades on my electronic grade sheet, and went for bloodwork. I saw some of Dad and Mom's neighbors, as well as Janice from the development office where I used to work, and we exchanged current information.
I returned to work to print my electronic grade sheet, enter my (third) recommendation for a student applying to a PharmD program this semester, and enjoyed my walk back.
~ ~ ~
18:10
Went for my hair appointment with Mom (Dad came along, too). As she finished cutting my hair, Mom and Dad took off to run some errands. Phyllis came in, we greeted each other, and commented on how long it's been since we have seen each other. Mom and Dad arrived shortly thereafter. Our stylist had purchased a choir CD, and we all chatted for a while. Mom will stop by Phyllis and Gene's home next Monday.
I typed in the change to Mom and Dad's Victorian party this season, and emailed Mom. I took the bus to work and mailed some student athlete recommendations. I spoke with Zusana for a while, then took care of some printing for the lab next week.
Labels: biology, Carnegie, Choir, computer, dancing, hair, health, student, TV, walking, work
posted by Grace @ 11/24/2009 05:35:00 AM
0 comments
Watched at ~11:05 am the "instant replay" footage of Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor being sworn in this morning.
It was refreshing to hear Kim Dozier reporting this story on the six o'clock CBS news tonight.
Labels: American history, TV, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 8/08/2009 06:56:00 PM
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Days in the life of me.
