This afternoon, I posted my record book entry for my class reunion this summer. The official deadline is in a couple of weeks. I'm glad and relieved to have completed that. I wrote 500-word essay, and included two current photos in addition to my profile.
Labels: Choir, Church, Faith, family, reunion, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 3/05/2012 05:35:00 PM
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Yesterday, as I was waiting for my bus to host the Wellesley Annual Tea for this year, I got a kind offer to get a ride to the FAAP board of directors meeting about the Nationality Room committee. I just as politely declined, noting that I was on my way to host an event.
Kelly and I sat in the center of the elongated rectangular table. We had a few cancellations at the last minute, and one eleven-and-a-half hour RSVP! Attendees this year (seated closst to Kelly and I to the ends of the table) were: myself and Kelly, Morgan (a current student), Margaret, Kelsey, Lucy, Ashley, Chloe, Nia (a current student), Gloria, Patrice, and Mala.
The tea was from Peet's select teas, and I chose to drink a pot of jasmine. The spread was similar to last year's, with extra-delicious cinnamon scones, which all, especially Margaret, raved about.
We had a particularly good mix of people at this event, with lively conversation ensuing.
Kelly was kind enough to give me a ride back to the ranch.
~~~~
I called Mom and Dad at their meeting, which continued beyond when they departed the meeting at 19.30.
Maureen and I met Nancy at the mall near her home, Maureen lost her glasses, and we went to Chili's afterwards for dinner.
~~~
Maureen found her glasses this morning, and left me a message whilst I was at Mass (I didn't sing in choir today, due to a post-nasal drip that makes my voice sound different/ funny).
Labels: Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 1/09/2011 07:43:00 PM
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Yesterday I volunteered with the Pittsburgh Wellesley Club at GlobaLinks for our annual Day to Make a Difference. It was good to see Kelly U. and the rest of the gang. I sorted with Beth, we had a great system. Maureen met up with me there. We all did sorting, inventory, and packing of orthopedic (post-op) supplies.
Maureen and I then drove (separately) to the Frick Estate, where we met up with Marissa, Beatrice, Solomon; and with Les and Cherie for RADday (Regional Asset District Day). We enjoyed a picnic lunch, a walk in the garden, and then Maureen and I took a tour of the first floor of the house. We joined Les on the rocking chairs on the porch of the children's playhouse---currently the gift shop---whilst we chomped on our popcorn.
I came home for some grading and a nap before heading to the crepes party last night.
Labels: dine, family-Marissa, friends, museum, Pittsburgh, volunteering, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 10/10/2010 08:09:00 AM
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Charles, Robin, Charles' parents and their friends Susan and Peter, and I watched Susan's Uptown Festival performance of Flamenco. Carolina and BJ, their students, and the guitarists were nothing short of wonderful. There was a visiting guitarist from Buffalo, NY. Lunch was fun to eat, delicious, and filling.
Afterwards I went home, had lunch, then joined Karina and Maureen for an evening jaunt to the Shadyside Arts Fest. We had great fun.
Labels: art, dance, friends, international culture, music, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 8/29/2010 08:32:00 PM
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I can't believe that it's been TEN years already since Y2K!" I exclaimed to my seat mates at the table at tea this afternoon, at the beginning of the afternoon.
Stephanie stated at the completion of the meal that she remembered talking to a job coach approximately ten years ago about her personal and professional goals and plans. And here she is, fulfilling them.
I need to make a list to see how I am meeting my objectives (perhaps). Maybe I don't need goals like Karina's: the man, the dog, the house. Maybe I just need objectives: Vehicles for me to get out and to circulate more, to broaden my horizons. As I go about meeting my objectives, I will enjoy life and meet more people.
There's MY plan.
Labels: career, energy, family, friends, list, love, meeting, music, voice, Wellesley, work
posted by Grace @ 1/02/2010 10:57:00 PM
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Today was the annual Wellesley tea. We enjoyed a pot of tea each (Martha and I shared a large pot of jasmine tea), and we had a selection of tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, and desserts of mini fruit tarts, cookie/brownie bars, and carrot cake. Michele opted for the mimosa, as well. At my end of the table were Stephanie, Lynne, Amy, and Martha. At Michele's end of the table were the "K" gals: Kelly, Kelsey, Kathryn, Kathleen, and Karen who switched seats with Martha so that Martha and I could share a pot of tea.
We chatted, and also spoke about plans for the Pittsburgh chapter for 2010...club events where we could get together, again. Amy and Lynne had particularly good ideas.
Lynne was kind to give me a ride back.
I hostessed the tea this time, and I'm glad Kelly suggested a post-holiday event this time around.
Labels: seasons, tea, transportation, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 1/02/2010 07:21:00 PM
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I got back in touch with Doug, whom I had first met at a talk in college. Among things that he and I wrote about: He updated a piece of artwork he had done back in the mid-1980's for me, and sent me a copy. It was charming, neat, and symmetrical. I was pleased.
Labels: art, friends, reunion, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 8/18/2009 07:53:00 PM
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So, it was another dancing day (evening, really). I observed the class, then my mental dance card included (i.e., I danced eleven dances with):
Philip (whose mom went to Wellesley),
Andrew,
Larry (who was pleased to see me dancing again),
Frank,
(another) Andrew (to whom I explained "When in doubt, err on the gentler side"),
Adam (who was happy to see me again),
Andrew I (again),
Fred,
Philip (again),
Fred (again, this time a cha-cha),
and
Molly.
It turns out Molly arrived with my friend Marie (whom I know from the Newman Center). All three of us gals departed at the same time, after Marie had a chance to look into dance lessons...
What a fun evening!
Labels: BAD, dance, Faith, friends, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 8/16/2009 01:03:00 AM
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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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Found out about the passing of one of my college physics professors, Miss Phyllis Fleming. Here are links to her obituaries from the New York Times and the Boston Globe.
Ms. Fleming made physics fun! She always made a point of chatting with students about physics, college, and life in general. She even listened to us if we had suggestions to improve the lab design. She is one of the reasons I am now a university science instructor myself.
I took advantage of the MIT-Wellesley exchange program (which she started) to attend classes and do research at MIT, experiences I'll not forget.
Brava, Phyllis, for a life well-lived!
We'll miss her grandly, yes, we will.
Labels: farewell, school, science, teaching, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 7/30/2009 10:04:00 AM
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I was particularly taken by a certain part of this year's commencement speech given by my classmate, Kim Dozier. She stated,
"I talk to...people about what it is like to be injured and recover. I talk about getting out of the injured box. When you are injured, everyone just remembers that you’re broken. They don’t remember that you healed. They don’t know how hard you fought to become whole again. They think of you as a victim, not a survivor."
As I prepare for my surgery, I focus on the hopefulness of my condition...that I will soon (within two months) be dancing again. The fear creeps in occasionally, but I fight it back by staying busy, focusing on the needs of others, and by doing things like getting blessed in preparation for my surgery (by Fr. Breier after lectoring at Mass for Grandma today).
~~~
By the by, Don played "Ubi Caritas" during the preparation of gifts during Mass today. I particularly like that hymn.
Labels: lector, Mass, pain, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 6/09/2009 11:08:00 AM
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I'm writing this early hour because I'm still excited about its being the first full week of my summer vacation.
I'll organize and copy my picture files...also, I need to see if I can post recent videos taken on this blog...Getting permission to send photos to friends, so it doesn't clog up their email in-boxes.
Also, my mom and I are planning a vacation.
~~~
Wed--Went to the computer lab at work and copied some photo (.jpg) files. It's difficult to make the folders of photos fit onto 700Mb CD ROM disks.
~~~
30 April 2009
Thursday-Awoke, wrote some correspondence long-hand to type into email, under my new lamp I got yesterday (with Mom). Mom says Kelly wants us to visit her. She also dictated some lists for email to me, which I dutifully typed. I sent my email correspondence out this morning, as well as my faxed authorization to obtain a CD ROM of MRI and of film images of my condition.
Ate salmon with teriyaki sauce for lunch with mom & dad. Went to physical therapy. I am updating/copying photo files, etc. for archiving at the computer lab in the campus library.
22:20 Thursday-Had dinner, then headed to choir practice. There will be no choir at the noon Mass this Sunday due to the Pittsburgh Marathon street closures.
~~~
1 May 2009
Mom, Dad, and I went to First Friday Mass this morning. Fr. Breier celebrated, with John and Matt as servers, and Ken providing music ministry at the portative organ. It was a rainy morning.
Kelly called right before lunch--she had been attacked last night by a guy stealing her cell phone. She still has all her teeth in her head! (So much for the K. division of the NY Tourist Board.)
I took a nap right after lunch. Necessary.
Went to wine & cheese at the Oratory. Met C, Karina, Christina, Donna, Tom Mc., and Fr. Mike. Chatted for a while with the gurls @ education.
Labels: Church, computer, email, Mass, photography, photos, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 4/29/2009 06:09:00 AM
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Yesterday late afternoon, after a quick salad and sandwich (and a discussion where we agreed to meet Don for a brief sight-reading session at 6:45pm), S and I headed to choir practice. S and Don started the choir rehearsal evening with a performance of a two-movement piano & violin romance by Gade (a Danish composer)[see below for first movement]. S then sat and listened to our choir practice.
We practiced music for this Sunday, and then we had a group discussion about the excitement this past Sunday. Many suggestions were made. I suggested that we enlist help from Pittsburgh Mediation Center, if necessary. Then, it was time for apple/fig/grape cake and rice salad by Paolo's wife. We enjoyed discussing over this delicious spread, and S and Christoph enjoyed talking to each other. K. had even said that she appreciated S's sense of style/fashion. We headed home, tired, and chatted for a bit longer before we called it a night.
~~~
Today we arose early (my first day of vacation) and had our showers, tea, and breakfast. After a few hours of practice with both violins, S packed the bags (asking me what I thought the difference between the two violins are); and S and I headed out for air, sun, and walking to have sorbets (which I brought from home), coffee, and a brownie at Maggie's Mercantile. We sat outside on the patio and enjoyed our snack. Then, it was time to head home to get the bags to go to the bus stop for the 14:00 bus...We caught the bus to the airport. Due to sufficient emotion management (and a couple hugs), there were no emotional cryfests. S did self check-in at the United kiosk, and I saw S go through security at the main security checkpoint. We waved several times, blew kisses, and saw the wand technique of the TSA worker before a final wave and a blown kiss.
I boarded the next bus back to Oakland, and met Lynna there, who just came from presenting at high school admissions fairs. We chatted about various things, including the phenomenon of the Network, and as you get older, more people know you through the Network. She knows William, and I told her about how Joyce and Greg met.
Landing at Mom & Dad's, Mom said she was happy to see me.
~~~
17:20
William and Marissa just called me to invite me to a Tony Kushner play at Carnegie Mellon tonight...Marissa is tired, so I'll meet up w/ William. After I meet Karina at the Newman Center, I'll meet him there tonight.
Labels: alarm, Carnegie, Choir, family, friends, ice cream, international culture, music, politics, school, St. Paul Cathedral, talent, theater, transportation, travel, walking, Wellesley, work
posted by Grace @ 4/24/2009 04:49:00 PM
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So I awoke, tuned into the radio (which described the Steelers win last night), and soon after there was a live broadcast from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania....during which the Ground Hog (a.k.a. Ground Pig) noted that the Steelers had won (again), and that he saw his shadow, indicating six more weeks of winter.
Check out this website out for a quiz on Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog.
~~~~~
I had received a mass email encouraging President Obama to not focus on "clean coal." Note that coal CAN be burned cleanly, if the proper scrubber technology is utilized (such as developed by Dave, the husband of a friend). This reduces acid rain.
Labels: cold, email, EPA, international culture, Pittsburgh, rain, science, seasons, Superbowl, weather, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 2/02/2009 09:12:00 AM
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As the Pittsburgh Wellesley Club Vice President, I feel obliged to share this news article from the Wellesley online magazine.....
ALUMNAE TAPPED FOR KEY OBAMA ADMINISTRATION POSTS
Three Wellesley alumnae have been named to leadership posts in the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. Sen. Hillary R. Clinton, class of 1969, has been nominated for secretary of state. She will be the second Wellesley alumna to hold that role; Madeleine Korbel Albright, the first female U.S. secretary of state, is a 1959 graduate of Wellesley.
Chicago business leader Desiree Rogers, class of 1981, has been named White House social secretary. She is the first African American to serve in the position, which is responsible for organizing and overseeing all White House functions and ceremonies.
Katie Johnson, class of 2003, is the new personal secretary to President Obama. As part of the position, Johnson will manage the president's daily schedule.
More information about these alumnae and links to news stories about their new roles is online here.
We're proud of our graduates and of their recent accomplishments.
Labels: adventure, American history, excited, politics, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 1/24/2009 10:13:00 AM
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After work Nancy C. and I went to Vic's restaurant for dinner. I had the chicken biriyani, Nancy had the vegetable chick pea balls in yogurt sauce. Afterwards, I went to Mom and Dad's to change out of my photosynthesis week work clothes and to pick up my copy of Kim Dozier's book and a camera.
Kim Dozier was back in Pittsburgh to deliver a lecture entitled "Breathing the Fire: Fighting to Report---and Survive---the War in Iraq." The talk was sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Honors College and I received my invitation through the Pittsburgh Wellesley Club. Nancy and I sat a row in front of Michelle L, with whom we chatted before the talk. Kim was introduced by Cindy Skrzycki of the University of Pittsburgh and of Bloomberg News. Kim's talk was more lively and less formal in tone and delivery than her acceptance speech and talk just a year ago at Carlow University. Tonight she read rarely from a reporter's stenographer-type spiral notebook during her talk, delivering it largely from memory. She spoke about how she was fortunate not to have suffered post traumatic stress disorder. Kim claimed to find her interview by Katie Couric to be difficult [from the other side of the microphone], but showed aplomb during the question-and-answer session after her lecture. During the question-and-answer session, Nancy asked her if the book's title had any more meaning for her beyond the war in Iraq.
It was a joy to meet Kim after the lecture, when I chided her for not attending reunion, and Nancy took a couple photos of us before she signed my copy of her book. Nancy and I enjoyed cookies, punch, and decaf afterwards, I brought Kim a drink of punch, and I had a chance to meet with Abby Mc from the University Honors College, another alumna. Nancy and I enjoyed the artwork reproductions in this Italian villa-style campus building.
Nancy and I walked back to our parking spot at Carnegie Mellon University, and enjoyed the walk with the steam rising from the fountain in front of the Frick Fine Arts building, as well as the steam from the steam plant behind the Carnegie Library complex. The frosty/icy bridge caused us to shuffle in small steps, and we enjoyed the cold night air on the way to her car.
Labels: art, career, Choir, dining, Faith, friends, photos, Pittsburgh, research, reunion, stars, TV, walking, water, Wellesley, work
posted by Grace @ 11/17/2008 10:02:00 PM
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Labels: American history, economy, politics, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 9/21/2008 08:40:00 PM
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This Monday and Thursday I went to physical therapy before and after work, respectively. I ran into Marcia B from my co-op on the way home Monday, as I was dragging myself home. What a godsend to run into her! She offered to pull my li'l trailer/mini suitcase filled with files and papers a block home. We walked and talked together.
Wednesday Doug and I spotted each other across Fifth Avenue on my way home from work and we ended up having Thai iced tea and smoothies at my favorite neighborhood place for those delectable treats. We chatted about our friends we haven't seen for a while as well as about Pastoral Council issues. We were headed to a field trip to the Newman Studies building when the strap on my shoe gave out and we headed back with less than a block to the center.
Last night at choir practice Doug lent me one of his favorite movies, Going My Way, with Bing Crosby (love his crooner voice!). He told me to enjoy it and I sang a few lines of "Swinging on a Star."
This morning I opened an email from Keeks describing how the Republican Veep nominee is particularly dangerous for those with interests of most women. I find the Republican stance particularly disturbing as a practicing Catholic because their 'Right to Life' Includes WAR, a war that even the Vatican says is UNJUST. The Church I attend also embraces the theory of Evolution, which shows the beauty and relationships between us and God's other creatures. (Ms. Palin doesn't believe in evolution!?..Maybe that justifies her shooting dead so many of them, indiscriminately, for 'fun.')
...and my church is considered old-fashioned!
Labels: BAD, biology, friends, pain, pastoral council, politics, surgery, surprise, walking, Wellesley, work
posted by Grace @ 9/19/2008 08:31:00 AM
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I met with Kelly U. this morning to plan for the year's Pittsburgh Wellesley College Alumnae Club events. We decided that we definitely want to have an annual winter holiday gathering, and perhaps a volunteer weekend day during the "Day to Make a Difference," and perhaps a tea tasting in the spring to welcome new members. We also chatted about our social lives, surgery, and travels.
I find myself in the computer lab on campus, with the masses, answering student emails and preparing for next week's lab.
~~~~~
Tonight I plan to attend the faith sharing group. I plan to bring the movie Ryan's Daughter (recommended by Pratima), for watching after the meeting and dining out. I've invited some friends to the group meeting, and I hope to see them in the coming weeks at the meeting.
~~~~~
8:40pm
Just returned from faith sharing and pizza with the group: Maximum Flavor pizza and drinks at Panther Hollow Inn. Pizza goers were Paul, Karina, Christina, Andy, Brian, Tom, and Alroy. Jose skipped out before pizza. Alroy gave Tom the "third degree" and they discussed Bible reading and canon law. I was glad to see Tom at the meeting, and hope to see Doug at the meeting next weekend.
Labels: biology, cinema, computer, dining, Faith, friends, list, love, school, surgery, tea, travel, volunteering, Wellesley, work
posted by Grace @ 9/13/2008 12:14:00 PM
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My friend Debbie R. who has been to Ireland thrice recommended a film with Janeane Garofalo (of Truth about Cats and Dogs and of Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion) called The Matchmaker. Noticed a couple of bloopers (namely, ambassadorial and liturgical), but all in all, a good movie---"a romantic comedy for the unromantic." I love everything I've seen Janeane Garofalo in, and the interactions between characters were understated (as interactions at a matchmaking fest can be), with beauteous scenery of the west coast of Ireland.
This film is the latest in Doug's and my volleys back and forth of film recommendations.
I echo Siskel and Ebert in their "two thumbs up"!
Labels: Choir, cinema, Ireland, singing, Wellesley
posted by Grace @ 8/16/2008 09:15:00 AM
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Days in the life of me.
