Kelly Visits, July 2010
2 to 4, 7 am again...
Those were the hours I was up in the wee hours of the morning this morning.
At about 7:30 I received a call from Mom that Kelly was visiting and up and about, William and his family were at their home, as well.
We enjoyed breakfast (true Pilipinos eat ANYthing for breakfast), karaoke (a.k.a. Minus One), and being serenaded by Mom via her first go at the accordian (at one designed by Walter, no less). Mom played childhood favorites and Pinoy folk songs, accompanied by Kelly on the accordian.
I worked on my budget for the next two months (through the end of August).
This evening we met William's family, and Marissa's parents, aunt, and cousin Will at the Frick grounds for a picnic dinner and to enjoy the musical sounds of First Friday at the Frick.
Labels: dine, economy, family, family-Marissa, music, phone, Pittsburgh, singing, sleep
Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
I met other people whilst waiting for the shuttle to the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Kristen, who had done this before, and who sat in my row, and Stephen, who was handing out parking stickers for validation.
Francois sat next to me, and we chatted on the way to and from the food bank. Philippa directed us. I was partnered with Kathy, and we directed people to appropriate areas. I had to sit at regular intervals to rest my po' little body. Keith stopped by to say hello, and to talk about past landscapes.
There were about 40 of us, and we wiped down the stainless steel counters afterwards. Four hundred thirty families/groups were served approximately 25000 pounds of food in that session.
Labels: biology, dine, economy, personal finance, school, transportation
Donations, May 2010; Catholic Underground, May 2010
I dropped off some donations today, then Mom and I went for Mexican food for lunch. We returned some items at some shops, then we had dinner with Dad.
I got cleaned up for Catholic Underground. This month Maureen drove, picking up Christina and me. We sang, participated in Eucharistic adoration, prayed, and sang. The Praise and Worship songs we sang included
He Is Exalted (Twila Paris)
Love Comes Down (Matt Maher)
Revelation Song (Christ for the Nation's Institute)
a take on Agnus Dei
How He Loves (David Crowder Band)
You Are Holy (Prince of Peace) (Marc Imboden and Tammi Rhoton)
All Creatures of Our God and King (St. Francis) in medley with Love Comes Down
We also sang O Salutaris Hostia upon the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Psalms 113, 117, and a canticle from Revelations 11 as chant,
Then we went downstairs into the social hall to enjoy the acoustic guitar sounds and to enjoy fellowship with Lauren and Bianca, Julie C and Katie. We saw Fr. Kim and Fr. Josh there, Molly, and Marie.
Night prayer was sung, including Psalms 4 and 134, and a canticle of Luke 2: 29-32. We said the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel and sang Salve Regina. After Catholic Underground ended, Maureen gave rides to Lauren and Bianca, as well. Maureen and I went for gasoline ($2.859/gallon), and I washed her windshields.
Labels: animals, celebration, dine, dining, economy, energy, Faith, family, friends, prayer, singing, transportation
Education and State of the Union 2010
Just got off the phone with Maureen. We spoke about motivating students in the classroom. Especially those who are not motivated to do well academically, whose parents may not be supportive of the educational process.
We spoke about tonight's State of the Union Address in which President Obama states, "one of the best anti-poverty programs is a world-class education."
We spoke about the Pittsburgh Promise, and how, if students graduate from Pittsburgh Public Schools that there are all these checks written for various schools--colleges and universities---in Pennsylvania: They just need to take responsibility to ensure that their name is in the memo line of a check for four years of education.
We spoke about Charlie Batch, the Pittsburgh Steeler from Homestead, Pennsylvania, who believes so much in education that he gives back to the community in the form of the Charlie Batch Foundation. His mom is involved as well in the Toys for Tots Literacy program which provides students "access to books and educational resources that will enhance their ability to read, communicate effectively, and succeed in life."
We spoke about the movie/poem "Invictus," which ends in the couplet
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul
Which my mom invokes when we are feeling that the world is too much.
And I quoted what Grandma had said to me
Bahala ako sa sarili ko OR
"I am responsible for myself," useful for the student who will not even take on the responsibility of opening a textbook in the context of a classroom.
We bid each other good night, and will see each other Friday again.
Labels: economy, friends, games, Grandma, humor, Pittsburgh, poetry, read, school, sports
Sunday in October 2009
Awoke early to put ten gallons of gasoline in the car ($25.00), and go with Karina to Trader Joe's. Then, it was off to choir practice and choir. Jennifer H mentioned an event in Schenley Plaza, at which Karina, Nancy C, and I joined her. On the way, we stopped at Craig Street for samosas. There were vendors on the cloudy, breezy day with jewelry and clothing items.
I picked up Mom and Dad at the airport after their voyages south this week.
Labels: automobile, Choir, dining, economy, family, friends, jewelry, shopping, St. Paul Cathedral
First Day of Choir Season, September 2009
Today was the first day of choir season, the twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. We sang
Make Us True Servants (Gaelic: Slane tune)
Gloria from the Carillon Mass (R. Proulx)
Psalm 54 (O. Alstott)
Alleluia (J. Chepponis)
O Lord We Believe (R. Kreutz)
Acclamations from the Community Mass (R. Proulx)
Agnus Dei (Chant)
Gift of Finest Wheat (R. Kreutz)
O Sacrum Convivium (Croce)
The Kingdom of God
the postlude was Fanfare for the Common Man (A. Copland), composed at the conclusion of WWII, it is played here as a prayer for peace during the G-20 Summit.
Mom, Dad, and I went to a Chinese buffet in Monroeville for lunch. Mom and I went home to nap, Dad went to Christina V's wake.
AR was quoted in an article in the Los Angeles Times today. It focused on the UCLA Bruins and students from Dorsey who have helped out the team. A.R. was quoted as a tutor who helped to prepare the students for university. He is focusing his graduate degree work on underprivileged populations.
Labels: California, Choir, dining, economy, family, farewell, international culture, Pittsburgh, school, singing, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral
Post-midterms Week, Fall 2008
Tuesday I posted to Meredith the grades for the midterm---approximately average scores for each of my four sections.
After my office hours (and covering for Becky's 1/2 hour) yesterday, Tom and I went to lunch at the newest Mexican place on Forbes (neither one of us had tried that). He asked me for advice (which one can take or leave), and we enjoyed our burritos. I saw a former coworker from Social Sciences/General Reference at the Carnegie Main Library. We walked back to work.
Four o'clock yesterday brought the ice cream celebration of Beatrice's birthday at Baskin Robbins. William and I had our favorite flavors, Marissa tried the Whirl of Change flavor, and Beatrice and William shared a kid's cup of vanilla. She was full of energy (and sugar) after that...she DID get a lot of ice cream.
Last night Deb R. watched the last part of the Presidential debates, and spent the night. Deb lit candles in memory of her friend's mom at the Cathedral early this morning.
I am doing laundry---my mini-vacation! Today is Beatrice's birthday!
Labels: Beatrice, biology, Birthday, dining, economy, friends, ice cream, laundry, St. Paul Cathedral, walking, work
Physical Therapy, Day of Rest, Dining Out
Yesterday Mom drove me to physical therapy, then she stopped to donate items. We went home for a lunch of spaghetti and meatballs and fruit. Mom ran errands in the afternoon, Dad and I rested.
This week, I have started sometimes to ambulate indoors without a cane. After discussions with Lisa at my doctor's office and with Keelan at physical therapy, I will be trying same outside for short distances.
After getting gasoline at the Oakland Sunoco ($3.97/gallon, a couple of pennies cheaper than the price the day before---crude sweet oil prices have dropped, but there is a lag in the corresponding drop in gas prices), I treated Mom and Dad for dinner at our favorite soup and salad bar and sandwich place in Squirrel Hill. It poured rain outside while we dined.
Labels: dining, economy, exercise, Pittsburgh, sleep, transportation, walking, water exercise
FAAP Picnic 2008, Building Picnic 2008
Yesterday we enjoyed the FAAP Annual Picnic, complete with roasted lechon and rice; grilled hamburgers and hot dogs; and potluck salads, main dishes, and desserts. There was a contest for best potluck items, and All Clad pots were the prizes. We brought green bean casserole and red strawberry orange jello salad with mandarin oranges. (Marissa made berry crisp.)
William, Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon met Jun and Arnie and Carol, all chemistry graduate students who prompted Beatrice with questions (and whom I had earlier tried to recruit for choir). While Solomon enjoyed a bottle with Lola, Beatrice, her mom and dad and I took off to go to the swings! Beatrice chortled joyfully while swinging...
Auntie Mimi: Is this as fun as Kennywood?
Beatrice: Yeah.
William interviewed Beatrice while on the swing.
Soon after eating William and Marissa and family departed, as the kids were very hot and sweaty.
A little later, the sky opened up and the winds blew, causing all to take cover under the one shelter and shrieks to arise from the edges of the shelter with each change in wind direction. Voting was orderly and straightforward. Dad and Tito Larry P. partook of the games, and they donated their winnings. Dad diagnosed a Colles fracture. We departed soon after, while it was still raining lightly. We got $15+ of gasoline (4.0 gallons) on the way home, happy with the price of $3.99
~~~
The building picnic had fewer attendees than last year, probably due to the weather. I sat next to Martha M., Ann L., and spoke with John, a newcomer to the building on the floor above me. Dinner was potato and pretzel chips; grilled chicken, hot dogs, and hamburgers; potato salad, bow tie pasta salad, cole slaw, and fruit salad; and bottled water or sodas. A bevy of desserts (of which I had a pecan pie bar) rounded out the meal. I enjoyed myself, and felt fully stuffed at the end of the meal.
Labels: Beatrice, berries, children, Choir, economy, friends, neighbors, niece and nephew, Philippines, photos, Pilipino culture, Pittsburgh, rain, science, St. Paul Cathedral, transportation, water, weather
Alroy and Kay's Farewell Party
Yesterday evening Maureen, Karina, and I traveled to Alroy and Kay's burger and chicken tikka get-together to wish Kay a fond departure for Texas. At the party, the group also played a card game called Mafia, and I observed a few rounds of Texas Hold 'Em. Mafia was particularly engaging, especially considering the stories of the turn of events, as recounted by Alroy.
Example of a humorous round of Mafia:
Grace, after having hip surgery, was climbing a ladder to fix something on her roof, when the cat Grace knocked over the ladder while she was on it, thereby killing her.
It is also Kay's birthday tomorrow, and I presented her with a small book, Wisdom of the Apostles.
As Maureen departed early, Karina and I caught a ride home with Jeff, and we promised to see the hosts at Faith Sharing tomorrow.
Labels: BAD, Birthday, Choir, Church, dining, economy, Faith, farewell, games, health, international culture, Pittsburgh, read, surgery, surprise, transportation
Hillary in Pittsburgh, March 2008
Hillary stopped by a Bloomfield gasoline station early this afternoon, where she fielded questions by reporters.
My friend and I lined up, and entered Soldiers and Sailors Memorial after filling out some demographic information and passing through the security checkpoint. As we entered the auditorium we were approached by a gentleman who asked us a few questions and seated us on the stage(KDKA's clip, "Senator Hillary Clinton Makes Local Stops"). We sat in the second row, and were joined by some veterans, some with spouses, in front of us. I saw some of my friends: from FAAP and PAMS, Titas Tina and Leila and more; from CHOIREland and choir, Linda and her sister Carol; and I met Marjorie, an organizer at S & S; as well as P, who will be going to Wellesley in the Fall.
Governor Ed Rendell spoke briefly, then gave his support; as did Luke Ravenstahl, our mayor, and did Dan Onorato, Allegheny County's chief executive. Soon after, Hillary arrived at 5:45pm and spoke about the issues--energy, renewable sources, the economy, the war in Iraq, veteran's issues, making education affordable (here Luke R. answered positively for "How many of you have student loans?" "How many are still paying for them?"), and on and on. She stayed to sign banners, books, and a baseball from a child. She was still meeting and greeting when we left for a meal of Chinese food at 6:45pm.
On the way out, I met Brie, who is a campaign worker. We also saw her and her colleague at the Chinese restaurant. What a great way to spend a rainy afternoon--hearing a great candidate for President.
Labels: American history, celebration, citizenship, economy, Wellesley
Low Gas Prices! II
More low gas prices, this time in South Charleston, West Virginia. What made this gasoline station worker think that she could get away with charging select customers 1/10 of a cent per gallon of gasoline? The owner caught the scam, involving the relatives of the sneaky worker, in a police sting operation.
Labels: economy, transportation, travel
Low Gas Prices!
An honest error while entering computer data at a Wisconsin gasoline station led to prices not seen since the 1970's! Gasoline was being sold at pennies to the gallon, while the price of light, sweet crude hovers around $100/bbl.
The error was noticed by the local police, who saw cars lining up at the station after ten in the evening in a small Wisconsin town.
What was I doing when that price first hit? My family was on summer vacation in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina. We were learning how to square dance, play ping pong, and I had added to my beginning doll collection a Native American doll. We were learning how to keep away from the blood-thirsty mosquitoes. It was a great trip, and I remember my Dad bemoaning the fact that gasoline was over 30 cents per gallon as we paid for a visit to the pumps.
Labels: dance, dolls, economy, family, games, transportation, travel
