(The Earlier) Grandma? post
5.37 am
So, Mom and I were discussing late last night---after I had finished typing, editing, and proofreading missives from Mom and Dad---the presence of Grandma. Mom said that she received a cell phone call from my phone yesterday early evening...she returned the call to my cell phone, and found that the phone was sitting there in her house.
me: Yeah, I left my cell phone at your home because I didn't want to bring it to my meeting [at pastoral council]. Did Dad use the phone?
Dad: I didn't pick up your phone.
me (in unison): It's Grandma!
Mom (in unison): Grandma!
me: WoooOOOooo! [taking a breath] Mom, did I tell you about the time at work----?
Mom: ----about the flowers?
me: Yeah! [at which point I launch into a recounting of the tale which included my coworker, who also detected flowers, but neither of us had found flowers, despite looking for several days...]
This we discussed briefly, then...
me: Do you know who's really scared of ghosts?
Mom guesses, then gives up.
At which point I tell her my cousin's name, and then launch into the story of how the cousin slept with a knife next to her bed, she was so afraid of ghosts after Grandma died. Mom had one response for that...
Mom: It's Grandma!
me {without a beat}:...and she's dead!
~ ~
So, the upshot of this conversation was that we still didn't know how the phone call originated from my phone at 7:22 pm yesterday, when I was in the midst of pastoral council meeting. Hmmmmmmm.
Labels: dreams, Grandma, phone, St. Paul Cathedral
Grandma?
So, Mom and I were discussing late last night---after I had finished typing, editing, and proofreading missives from Mom and Dad---the presence of Grandma. Mom said that she received a cell phone call from my cell phone yesterday early evening...she returned the call to my cell phone, and found that the phone was sitting there, ringing, in her house.
me: Yeah, I left my cell phone at your home because I didn't want to bring it to my meeting [at pastoral council]. Did Dad use the phone?
Dad: I didn't pick up your phone.
(Here I check her handset for incoming calls--there was one from my cell phone at 7.22pm!)
me: Yeah, there was one from my cell phone at 7.22 tonight...
[Pause]
me (in unison): It's Grandma!
Mom (in unison): Grandma!
me: WoooOOOooo! [taking a breath] Mom, did I tell you about the time at work----?
Mom: ----about the flowers?
me: Yeah! [at which point I launch into a recounting of the tale which included my coworker, who also detected flowers, but neither of us had found flowers, despite looking for several days...]
This we discussed briefly,
I said that "This is freaking me out"
then...
me: Do you know who's really scared of ghosts?
Mom guesses, then gives up.
At which point I tell her my cousin's name, and then launch into the story of how the cousin slept with a knife next to her bed, she was so afraid of ghosts after Grandma died. Mom had one response for that...
Mom: It's Grandma!
me {without a beat}:...and she's dead!
~ ~
So, the upshot of this conversation was that we still didn't know how the phone call originated from my phone at 7:22 pm yesterday, when I was in the midst of pastoral council meeting. Hmmmmmmm.
~~~~~
10.15am
Mom also told me in the same exchange about a dream she had with Grandma in it yesterday. Didn't seem like a warning dream, but like a comforting dream, instead.
~ ~ ~
I just checked my handset, and there is NO RECORD of an outgoing call from my CELL phone at 7.22 pm last night--where it should be is bracketed by a call to William and a call to VoiceMail. OOOooOO-creepy!
Labels: dreams, Grandma, phone, St. Paul Cathedral
Surgeon's Post-operative Appointment
This morning I have my surgeon's post-operative appointment. I am looking forward to it. I hope to find out all kinds of things, such as when I can stop using certain medicines/medical devices and when I can start to do such things such as outpatient physical therapy, pool therapy, drive, do laundry/work the dishwasher (waow!), and dance.
~~~
19.00
My post-operative appointment was with the physician's assistant, Greg S. After a short round of X rays, he removed all of my Steri-strips (which were hanging on), taught me a "Jane Fonda" exercise after having me demonstrate it. It is truly difficult, but necessary if I don't want to walk with a wobble. We looked at the X ray films, and I discussed them. I now have two screws holding in my acetabular cup on the left, which is 2 units smaller than my right socket.
And I asked my questions:
I mentioned the various types of pain I have (probably attributable to healing and the changes in my legs/hips due to surgery).
When can I be fully weight bearing? (now, starting with a single crutch or cane, and gradually progressing to no accessories).
Blood thinner injections in my soft underbelly? (no more).
Fashion statement hose/ old lady hose (no more).
Stated my lack of any pain medication since Monday morning, my problems getting to sleep, and, should I need pain medication, if I could take the Extra Strength/Arthritis Tylenol.
Outpatient physical therapy? (Yes, Greg would write me a Rx for 3x/week for four weeks.)
Pool therapy? (As long as there is no broken skin, scabs, or blood, I'm fine. BUT NO HOT TUBS).
Driving an automobile? (Yes. And NO OTHER movement limitations.)
Dancing? (When tolerated.)
Omega-3 fatty acids, which I had dropped ten days before surgery? (Go ahead and take them).
I was instructed to get a set of X rays every two years or so, so as to prevent foreign body expulsion of polyethelene cup liner degraded pieces.
~~~~~
This morning, I contacted my outpatient physical therapist, who quickly booked me an appointment for tomorrow.
Labels: BAD, dance, dreams, exercise, health, list, pain, patient, surgery, walking, water exercise
This I believe
Found a web log this morning called "This I believe." I went through some of the various headings, in this order:
Respect
Love
Science
Disability
Empathy and Compassion
My favorite posting was one I read under "Empathy & Compassion."
Labels: accessibility, blogs, dreams, international culture, love, philosophical, science
Thriller
Two summers ago, I linked one of my blog posts to a video of Cebu inmates dancing a routine to Thriller. Yesterday morning, while at Tito Larry and Tita Tina's place, all of us watched the inmates dancing and being interviewed (some with make-up, which is most likely expensive in an incarcerated environment) about Michael Jackson. One of the wardens said the dancing and choreography is good for keeping gangs and violence down at the prison, and they've kept adding more songs to their repertoire.
~~~
It never ceases to amaze me how peaceful large groups of Filipinos can be. During the People Power revolution, there were never any of the violent encounters that there were at Tiananmen Square. Sure, there were tanks, but there were also nuns placing flowers in the barrels of soldiers' guns, too. And here, again, 1500+ Cebuano inmates dancing in unison to recent radio hits. I think it says quite a bit about the soul of the Filipino/a.
~~~~~
7.00, 2 July 2009
Here, a short from ITN news on the MJ tribute, and a short from CBS on the MJ Cebu tribute, as well as a short by the Associated Press.
~~~~~
14.00, 2 July 2009
Here, an organ tribute to MJ Ken shared with me.
~~~~~
13.30, 11 July 2009
Here, "Beat It" being performed impromptu by a crowd in Stockholm.
Here, "Thriller" performed by William & Mary students in Virginia.
Labels: dance, dreams, Faith, farewell, international culture, music, organ, Philippines, philosophical, Pilipino culture, politics, TV
News
So, I'm "normal" (as normal as *I * can be!!) as determined by my latest medical procedures.
I have a friend from Berkeley (who now lives in New Mexico, USA) who will visit me at the end of May, and two days after that a "niece of some of my friends" will visit.
I have my surgery tentatively scheduled for mid-June this year for my left (unoperated) hip. So, this is going to be a very busy summer for me.
My operated hip is ready to dance, and says to the other hip, "When are we going to dance?" So the unoperated hip says, "Be quiet and be patient!"
~~~~~
Went to the Newman Center for Faith Fellowship (which was not "on" due to low/no attendance), and for Bible Study with Fr. Mike on Galatians 3. It was nice to see Christina there, and we decided to try to meet Friday night, too.
Labels: dance, dreams, excited, Faith, friends, health, surgery
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Music
How can we NOT LOVE mister Rogers' neighborhood? And for those of us who grew up on it, THE MUSIC....simply written and sung by Fred Rogers himself on the show, and gently and beautifully embellished by Johnny Costa, the jazz pianist.
One of my very first jobs in Pittsburgh was at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum, where the touring exhibit Mister Rogers' Neighborhood originated while I was on staff. A player piano sat in the corner, playing the improvisations on Fred's tunes. A special treat would be when Joe Negri and his jazz combo would play for a special event, Mr. McFeely would visit with children on the trolley, or the sudden hush when the man himself, Mr. Rogers, would visit with the children after attending a meeting with administrators.
Which brings me to yesterday...and the fun, musical times we spent with Maggie and Chuck at Lisa and Ken's home.
All these wonderful people...I feel honored to have spent time with each and every one of these talented, gifted, and truly nice individuals from the Mister Rogers show.
Labels: Choir, dreams, friends, museum, music, niece and nephew, opera, Pittsburgh, thankfulness, work
More friends visiting....Reunions
Two summers ago, Kirsten D. came by to visit me while she was presenting a conference at Chatham University. This fall, Linda I., Charles, William, and I had a mini-Marietta reunion (it was great fun, by the way). This spring Jenny (Grace and Jason's niece from the West Coast) will visit, followed by Stephan, whom I haven't seen from a month before the Berlin Wall was taken down. There has been a run of reunions. And I hope for many more, with many more friends.
Charles and I have noted that as our world gets bigger, it really gets smaller (because you meet new people who know others whom you already know). "My world is imploding on itself!" I caught myself exclaiming to a friend. "And Pittsburgh---it's the ultimate vortex: It sucks you in." I know of people who have tried to leave, but keep coming back!
Labels: California, celebration, Chatham College, dreams, excited, family, friends, international culture, Marietta, Pittsburgh, reunion
Happy Lists
So, what makes one happy? This blogger ran an on-line hour-long chat about happiness. Read and get some insight.
Some things that make me happy:
Thankfulness lists
Time for myself
Time to help/serve others
Humor
Labels: dreams, excited, humor, list
Another Quote
You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.
- Friedrich Nietzsche
(What a surprisingly interesting quote from the Nietzs-mensch himself!)
Labels: balm, dance, dreams, meditate, philosophical, surprise
Once
Watched a movie, Once, this afternoon with Mom. Great poetic lyrics for the songs the lead characters in the movie wrote. Some ballads lulled Mom to sleep. Glen Hansard from the movie was the first Irishman to receive the Academy Award for best Song.
The district in which they show the street performers is just as it is in Dublin, Ireland.
Labels: cinema, dreams, music, singing, sleep, Songs
Physical Therapy, November 2008; Jeff back for Thanksgiving
This month I made some strides in physical therapy. I went back to therapy in October, and use the Physio Ball to do two exercises on my back (with my lumbar region flattened): bending and straightening the knee, and going from noon to 10 or 2 o'clock with either leg.
I also do pool exercises, including:
water walking (20 minutes)
side stepping while centered (12 minutes)
20 plies/releves x 3
15 front/side/back (ronde de jambe) x each leg
lunges (20 seconds) x 3 @ leg
and will add weight shifting from leg to leg when the pool is no longer under maintenance.
This week, I did some upright bicycling (5 minutes up to 10 minutes).
Yesterday, I walked approximately half a mile (800-1000 meters), going from St. Paul Cathedral up Craig Street to the museums, to the Carnegie Public Library, uphill on Bellefield to work, then back to the Cathedral. I also walked with Joe and Tina to to Heinz Chapel from their home, and back.
I am pleased as punch that I am tolerating more distance, with minor complaints from my body (incipient shin splint-y feelings), as if I'm before training for a season.
~~~~~
Jeff was back for Thanksgiving tonight. Karina, Maureen, and I joined him in celebration of the 5:15 afternoon Mass with Fr. David and Deacon Joshua, who said the homily. After Mass, we met up with Alroy at Aladdin's Eatery in Squirrel Hill (where I enjoyed the lamb wrap) and then piled into Jeff and Alroy's vehicles to go to Dozen in Lawrenceville, where most of us had a pumpkin strudel muffin. Karina had mentioned the terrorism at the two fancy hotels in Mumbai, two blocks from her mom's home. Alroy asked her what will happen, how will she get groceries? And a discussion of the infrastructure network within her neighborhood ensued.
Labels: Carnegie, dreams, exercise, friends, international culture, library, neighbors, politics, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, thankfulness, walking, water exercise, weather, work
"First" Campfire and Mountain Pie Party 2008
Last night Jen, Brian, and I drove to Houston to partake of Ken, Maggie, and Drew's First Third of July Campfire and Mountain Pie Party. Ken has been doing campfire/mountain pie parties since then-Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Maslov announced Third of July celebrations back in the day. In fact, two years ago Jen, Bri, and I attended their campfire engagement party...but this is the first one for him and Maggie and eight-month-old Drew. There was the usual fare at their new home: Hot Dawgs, S'mores, dough boys, and the ubiquitous mountain pies. Jen kindly made a chocolate/cherry one for me. The rain rain rain came down down down, and the rain rain rain came down down down....It was great to chat with Ken and Maggie, and to see Drew; since I had not seen their family since the beginning of January 2008. Drew is a big eight-month-old, in the 75 percentile, and at 22 pounds plus, he is about the length and weight of my twenty-month old niece Beatrice! He is also not a slender child, being somewhat chunky and long. As we departed, we noted that he looked so sweet slumbering in Maggie's arms.
I described the view of the fireworks to the west of I 79 as we drove past the cars pulled over on both sides of the highway. Jen appreciated the described view as we whizzed north on the wet pavement. I am thankful for my friends from CAC. When they suggested that I join the Club again, I insisted that I have become too busy with the Church....
~~~
What to do about me? Jen has decided to set me up with an acquaintance of hers. Her last attempt to set me up failed, as the other party was "afraid of getting hurt again." I told them the story of my declination of a proposal when I was younger, citing our irreconcilable difference, a difference that our friend Anjali wholeheartedly agreed was fully irreconcilable and that she agreed would elicit a denial from her, too.
Despite all this, I remain open to possibilities...I also am prepared resign myself to a life of teaching, alone, as I am fully happy and feel fulfilled as a mentor to young people in this capacity.
Labels: Beatrice, Blind, CAC, career, celebration, children, Christmas, Church, dreams, friends, list, love, outside, painting, science, transportation, weather, work
After Mass, June 2008
After noon Mass (in which Dad served as Eucharistic Minister), I stayed seated in our pew. I greeted Ed and his sister; as well as Lisa, Ken, Emily, and Liz; and Father Breier. Ed happily announced that he was employed full-time as a musician in the greater Pittsburgh area. I gladly congratulated him on this accomplishment. Lisa updated me on her decision to leave choir, Emily shared her hopes for the future with Mom and I, and Liz told us about her internship at the Warhol Museum. It was nice to see the brood, albeit part of them. Fr. Breier wished me a speedy recovery.
Labels: BAD, children, Choir, diocese of Pittsburgh, dreams, exercise, friends, health, Mass, music, politics, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery
Physical Therapy--Water Exercises
Today at physical therapy I was passively stretched, did some exercises on the PT table and standing next to the table, and then did water exercises in the (very warm) pool.
~~~
When taking off my footwear on the PT table, I cried out, "Look! Look!" Keelan and Erica turned around, and I proudly announced, "I can take it off if I externally rotate [the right leg]," as I brandished my anklet sock.
"Oh, I thought something happened," Keelan said.
~~~
The pool was about the temperature of a kiddie pool---mainly for the arthritis classes that are held there during the week. I did five minutes of water walking, of "centered" straight-legged side-stepping, of plies and releves with the toes facing forward, and of front/side/back leg raises, some with the leg bent.
I definitely felt the workout during the side-stepping/weight shift activities, and felt the "pressure" on my unoperated leg when doing exercises that required it to be the weight-bearing leg.
All in all, a good morning of exercise. Now I have a cadre of exercises for land and for the water.
Dad waited in the waiting room this time and we said hi to Melanie, who had worked across the hall from Mom and Dad's condominium.
Labels: BAD, dreams, excited, exercise, health, neighbors, surgery, water, water exercise, work
Swimming!
Went with Marissa this morning for water exercises. We went to the indoor pool at William's work. She looked at my scar ("It's not that wide") and we did water walking/talking for ten minutes and freestyle swimming for a little less than five minutes. She has been swimming every day now, and invited me to join her in her daily ritual. I took her up on the offer.
This was the first of my post-surgery "regular exercise" goals that I have reached.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself---it's so healthy, wholesome, and refreshing!
Labels: BAD, dreams, excited, health, pool, surgery, swim, water, water exercise
Physical Therapy Evaluation---Post Surgery
This morning I'll be going to a physical therapy evaluation, post surgery. My home care physical therapist, Margie, says to say "Hi," to my evaluator. I must ask for information on water exercises, since I will be using the shallow pool on campus starting in the fall.
In the meantime, Marissa has spotted on my blog in the wee hours of this morning that I can now SWIM! She has invited me to join her early in the morning, about this time. Mom, Dad, and I will see the kids, William, and her for lunch today; I'm sure we'll discuss that then.
As related to reaching goals and pursuing dreams, my friend Stacy said she dreamt that she saw me at Mass, sans cane! I LIKE her dream...
~~~
Keelan, my physical therapist, agreed that water exercises are a good idea and asked me to bring my bathing suit to my next appointment. I shared my goal to ceili dance by the end of the summer with him.
After physical therapy, I convinced Dad to stop at the bakery for pretzels: We devoured two on the way home. Mom, Dad, and I met up with William and family for Chinese food for lunch (Marissa and I got smoothies, lychee and mango, respectively). This was followed by an hour with Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon at Mom and Dad's home; followed by a nap.
Marissa and I plan to go to the pool tomorrow early morning for a little workout fun.
Labels: BAD, dance, dining, dreams, exercise, health, Ireland, pool, sports, surgery, swim, water, water exercise
Dear Luce--
Yesterday, I took a short field trip to my home mail box with my dad. He opened the mailbox and was surprised to see a thick manila envelope in the box--we brought it back to my parents' home, and I was pleased to see the book about Filipino grandparents in America [from you].
Thanks for thinking of me--I've been reading and writing up a storm since my surgery. Keeping busy, for we all know idle hands are the devil's workshop (or Whatever).
Much love to you,
We need to figure out a good time for you to visit the 'Burgh!
Labels: BAD, dreams, email, friends, genealogy, health, home, Philippines, Pilipino culture, Pittsburgh, read, surgery, thankfulness, writing
Good Morning! ~~~MSHS Class Reunion
It's early, pre-dawn, and I'm up again. I took a dose of (non-pain) medicine, looked for the (yet-to-be-delivered) newspaper outside the door, and sat here in front of the computer. I read a couple of emails, one on CPR and choking sent to me by Marissa. I also read about developmental leaps being made by Beatrice and Solomon. Beatrice, it turns out, uses parallelisms to make herself understood. Solomon has started to watch his feet, thus become self-monitoring ("Toes! BIG toes! Li'l toes!" as I am wont to intone).
~~~
Charles and I have been discussing our impending high school class reunion. No other classmate he has contacted knows about it...he has started to speculate about the existence of it. Gerthild (in the Nederlands) would like to attend, if her scheduling allows. I, personally, still have hope for the event, as they may hold it during Homecoming weekend, as they did for William and Steve's class last year.
I have never attended a class reunion for my high school. In fact, until last summer, I had never attended a school reunion ever. (I was, however, glad to attend my Wellesley College reunion.) I personally have mixed feelings about attending my high school reunion. However, it's been a long time since I've last seen most of my friends/classmates from high school. I've fallen out of touch with those who don't attend our church in Marietta or who haven't lived near me since high school: i.., Most of my classmate/friends. In fact, all of my lunch time friends I've fallen out of touch with. Turns out Charles has gotten back in touch with our classmate Linda I. from my lunch table, though...Linda, who, like all my lunchtime classmate buddies, I haven't kept in touch with since graduation.
News about some of my classmates has not escaped me, though. Our Future Problem Solving crowd has kept in touch with our coach and advisor, Mrs. B. As for some of our other teachers, they have moved on, in various ways: Mrs. Inabnet, my microbiology teacher, passed away; Mr. Luthy has gone on to a position at the local community college, etc...
The dreams I had my last year of high school, I am living. I am the living dream of my high school aspirations: I had expressed a desire to be a scientist or lawyer my senior year in high school. I had expressed a desire to keep art integrated in my life. I had stated that friends are important as you go through life. And I had quipped (if I recall correctly) as a young sixteen-year old about living in "River City, USA" that it is important to "know where that river is, and where that river's flowing," and to "be a part of the flow." This quote, which I recall providing the local paper, foreshadowed my current life in "RiverS City, USA." I am convinced that as we push forward in our lives, we live our life in spiraling, ever-cycling patterns that we can foresee, if we live an examined life.
Labels: Beatrice, dreams, email, excited, friends, Marietta, niece and nephew, organizing, philosophical, science, tradition, Wellesley
Smoking Ban in 90 Days
HOOray! Yesterday, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed into state law a statewide ban on smoking, which will take effect in 90 days.
I hope this ban holds longer than the last one...I recall William and I dining in a small mom-&-pop establishment (The Original Oyster House in Market Square) on the day of the last ban. The next day, that particular smoking ban was lifted. William pointedly noted to me that that particular small establishment may not be governed by this law, so we may never again be able to dine-in smoke-free at that restaurant.
Labels: accessibility, addiction, American history, dreams, family, health, Pittsburgh, politics, smell
