Thanksgiving Days 2010-III
Today is Saturday, the last day of the liturgical year.
Yesterday, I awoke at ~ 4am and sent some email correspondence to friends far and near, as well as to my classes of students. After tying bows on wreaths with Judi, Jess, Don, Rocco, and Regina,
I exchanged an organizer near William and Marissa's home. Also I got a pair of shoes and lip gloss. I took two naps yesterday (~45" and 1'15"), between which was sandwiched a visit to a craft store across the river in McKees Rocks. After dinner with Mom and Dad, we went for a visit at William and Marissa's home, to return some items at a store near their home, and to return to play a Sea game with Beatrice that Lolo and Lola gave them. Solomon enjoyed playing a game with Marissa and Lola, whilst Beatrice won the Sea game she played with the rest of us by a close margin.
Upon returning home, we had a snack, and I forwarded a file from Rosie T. to some of mom's other friends. Had a long, 19+ hour day and was tired after it, as well.
Labels: Beatrice, email, games, jewelry, niece and nephew, seasons, shoes, shopping, sleep, Spain
Resolving Issues---End of the Summer 2010
The end of this week (Thursday through Saturday) consisted of resolving issues, including health insurance, car maintenance, donating excess jackets, and loading my syllabus onto my (still unavailable) class. I went out with Maureen to the library and then we shared fries in Fox Chapel. I've been writing more, as well.
I started a great book recommended to me by Liz--Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. I finished reading half the book in one evening, it is so compelling. The subtitle is "The Story of Success." He has written The Tipping Point and Blink as well.
I've been catching up on communication (email) and writing more essays, as well.
I just finished a big double bar of chocolate from this summer (with almond and cashew paste).
Labels: automobile, computer, dining, donate, email, health, library, read, school, writing
Up at 2 II
I've been up for half an hour, since 2.00...I've been playing with my messages, renewing library books, checking email, etc. I will look at the manual for my new phone...need to figure out messaging.
~~~
7.00
I did a load of laundry, showered, figured out some of my cell phone questions, called my carrier to get more clued-in about messaging. Got more organized.
Labels: email, library, organizing, sleep
Up at 2
I arose at 2 today. I went to sleep at 19.00 last night, woke up at ~21.30 and watched fireworks on television. I had a late-night snack and fell asleep about midnight.
I've been surfing the Internet since then, and answering email messages. Playing with my new phone.
~~~
I fell asleep @ 6 and awoke at 9. We waited for Kelly, who was to stop by on her way home from vacation. I ended up going with Karina to the craft store in the Waterfront, then to Giant Eagle (Big Bird, as I am wont to call this store). I worked on an organizing project, and on my address list of my friends. Liz gave me her phone numbers, and Kim and I gelled plans for later in the month.
Labels: art, celebration, computer, email, jewelry, organizing, phone, shopping, sleep
Awoke an hour earlier....
..This morning I awoke another hour earlier--4.30. I am taking care of correspondence (some by email), and photos for my blog.
I'm pleased that the university library has chosen to order the encyclopedia I was involved in.
~~~
9.25
I soon went back to sleep at 5, 5.30 and slept for another four hours. This waking up early is difficult! I wonder why I have disrupted sleep?
Labels: blogs, email, encyclopedia, library, photos, school, sleep
Memorial Day 2010
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
Holy Trinity Sunday 2010
Before choir practice today, Judi gave me great advice about electronics!
After choir and Mass (during which James W's mom, James W's mom's son, and Stephanie sang with us; as well as Christina Mc sang as a chorister), Stacy, Regina, and I dined on pan-Asian food. I tried the Lard Nar (LUV those wiiide nooodles!), chit chatted about about relationships, and enjoyed our lunches (and for some of us, smoothies). As we exited, we ran into Charles, who was also on the way to pan-Asian bliss (a.k.a. noodles with chicken). I joined him, we chatted over lunch about our summer plans, and parted ways.
I caught a three-hour nap, and am making lists for this summer...Also catching up on email.
Labels: Choir, dining, email, friends, list, Marietta, St. Paul Cathedral, travel, visitor
Grades Posted at 17.00, Spring 2010
William, Dad, and I drove to "thirty one-derful flavors" for their 31 cent scoops. Dad, Mom, and I got Jamoca Almond Fudge, and William got German chocolate cake, and cherries Jubilee for Beatrice and Solomon. Donations will be made today to the Fire Fighters fund.
After, I headed home for dinner, to say hi to Mom and Dee Dee P., and to answer emails after the grades were officially posted to the central computer on campus at 17.00 h.
~~~
Went grocery shopping with Maureen at ~21.00.
Labels: biology, dine, email, friends, ice cream, school, shopping, work
Those Early Morn Hours
Up early...checking email and such. Must get back to sleep. Will turn off WQED on the radio and fall back into bed.
~~~
Listening to WQED...at the same time as Sesame Street!
10:00 am Wilhelm Friedemann Bach: Concerto, flute, strings, continuo in D
Musica Antiqua Köln
Verena Fischer, flute
Deutsche Grammophon 471579
Bachiana, music from the Bach family
Labels: email, radio, sleep
Continued Birthday Celebration 2010
I told Uncle Sonny about my continued birthday celebration (just like Ati Atihan! he countered) into today (Saturday).
I awoke to WQED radio's strains of Offenbach's duet, followed by a rousing Divertimento by Telemann performed by MAK. This morning's program was Saturday Morning Classics with Lynn Warfel. I performed my morning ablutions and made my way to Mom and Dad's place. I greeted Dad, checked email, took an ever-so-brief nap, and then blogged (currently). I'll grade this morning before my continued birthday celebrations.
Maureen, Christina, and Regina will join me for lunch today out at Station Square, then I will join the rest of the family for celebration at Monroeville for Solomon's birthday.
Labels: biology, Birthday, blogs, celebration, dining, email, family, family-Marissa, music, niece and nephew, patient, radio, school, sleep, work
O Rats!
I just spent the past 3/4 hour reading emails and uploading photos to this blog for the PCM post.
Yesterday I spent the morning navigating (unsuccessfully) Marissa and the children to a children's play place in the South Hills. We ended up at a great Eat N Park for lunch, I went to Mom and Dad's for a very brief nap, and then walked to work to dissect animal models (rats) for the students next week. Heather prepped them for Paul C. and me to dissect. We finished before the meeting for the other biology class completed. I went to Mom and Dad's, chatted with them, had an early dinner of lumpia and rice, and turned in soon after I spoke with Maureen on the phone.
I awoke about 3/4 of an hour ago and will crawl back in bed shortly, if only because it is the middle of the night.
Labels: biology, blogs, dining, email, family, friends, phone, photos, sleep, work
Spring Break 2010 III
Afternoon yesterday, cleaned and organized my files. Went for a walk yesterday late afternoon with Maureen. We ended up heading toward the pan-Asian restaurant in Oakland, and ran into Dan from choir on the way there. Chatted with him for a while, and ran into Freddie at the restaurant, where we got General Tso's chicken with a pot of green tea. Mmm. Nothing is better for the soul and the coughy throat on a cool-tending-to-cold March night.
~~~
3.37
Just finished deleting files to reduce my file space by more than half in my work email account. I am so happy! I'm now down to 13.0% of total disk space possible/potential. Yay!
~~~~~
5.20
I'm consolidating my work and school files---tossing excess waste, recycling paper...Now I'm getting tired and less effective. Time to rest.
~~~~~~~
6.33
Never took a break: Am doing laundry. Need to move to the dryers in a few minutes.
~~~~~~~~~
19.00
Ran errands in the AM---walked to retrieve my prophylactic antibiotics for my teeth cleaning later this week.
Had lunch at the sushi buffet with mom and dad. Purchased computer storage supplies at the office supply store, then headed to the visitation of our neighbor, Rita. It was good to see her extension into the community and to talk to her family.
I worked on some paperwork, then did some computer work.
It will be good to rest tonight.
Labels: Choir, cleaning, dining, email, farewell, friends, health, laundry, organizing, school, seasons, walking, weather, work
Spring Break 2010 II
Up again in the middle of the night (I went to sleep about eight hours ago). My spring break officially starts today...I finished corresponding by email with some students and sending a recommendation letter out for one of them. During break I will take care of errands, regular check-ups / dental visits, as well. It will be a busy spring break.
Labels: biology, email, health, school, seasons, teeth, work
Spring Break 2010
I unofficially started spring break last night, after my last class met.
I showed up for choir practice late, after I tallied my candy orders for Easter. I sat separate from the choir during practice, due to my laryngitis. Alice did snacks, with devilled eggs, pepperoni rolls, cookies, and kielbasa.
Took care of some email correspondence this morning.
Labels: biology, dine, email, health, school, seasons, work
So Tired...
I went to sleep before nine thirty last night, I was so tired. I've been up for two hours now, working on cleaning my home, organizing files, and computer work such as my CVs. Time to go to sleep now. So tired...
(Maybe after I check my email.)
Labels: cleaning, computer, email, organizing, sleep
Snowbound 7 Thursday
This is the first day the University of Pittsburgh will resume normal operations.
I went to morning Mass this morning. Fr. Utz celebrated the Mass, Fred lectored, John served at the altar, and Don provided music ministry. Approximately ~24 people received the Eucharist in the congregation. I talked to Don after Mass about choir practic, travel, travelling the roads, and preparedness for snow storms.
I plan to stop by campus today.
~~~
19.15
After breakfast, I promptly went home and took a long nap. Auntie Benita woke me up with a phone call. We chatted for a bit, mostly about being snowbound.
I went to M + D's to make some photocopies before heading to campus with Maureen to drop off my students' papers and to notify them of that fact.
We dropped off my DVDs at the Carnegie public library, and then we looked for travel books and DVDs. I saw and said hello to Kathy, head of the music library, and chatted for a bit with her and HK, one of my students who was glad that we were off from class this week.
Maureen and I peeled off our boots/clogs to warm up (with the help of some tea), and then I asked her to take some of my magazines. We headed out, she to her home and me to meet Charles for dinner.
Charles and I enjoyed dinner and I a coconut smoothie at the pan-Asian restaurant. I gave him a keep-the-house-warm housewarming gift, and we chatted for a while.
I stopped by Mom and Dad's place, and am checking my email and catching up on my blog.
Labels: blogs, Carnegie, cold, dining, email, library, Mass, music, school, seasons, traction, transportation, travel, weather, work
Snowbound 4, Monday email Letter
Here's part of a letter I sent overseas:
...[T]he snowstorm has created a state of emergency in Pgh.
They have cancelled ...my class... for the WEEK. We received 1.5 feet = 0.5 m of snow total, and some melted, and it is currently 4 degrees F out. Needless to say, I am wearing my YakTrax on my Doc Martens. Bishop Zubik gave a dispensation from Mass this past weekend. Many people attended 10 am Mass Sunday at the Cathedral, but they were mostly students, arriving on foot. Only Noreen and Sally [neighbors] were Eucharistic Ministers.
And late last night:
All Pittsburgh campus classes have been cancelled for Monday, February 8. Offices will be closed. Essential personnel are to report to work.
---from the www.pitt.edu website, late last night.
Labels: cold, computer, diocese of Pittsburgh, email, neighbors, Pittsburgh, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, weather, work
First week February 2010
Work. Stress. Napping. Exercise. Retail therapy.
This first couple of days of this week I've been spending at work, and stressed out by health insurance and by the renovations adjacent to my parents' unit. I've been coping by napping, exercise, and retail therapy.
The renovations adjacent to my parents' unit are loud and vibrating. A porcelain soap dish broke by falling into their sink, and the clock on their commode fell. TOO LOUD! and TOO VIBRANT!! I've been avoiding spending time in their unit...and by napping at home.
Each day for the past two days Maureen and I have exercised. We walk to the gym, where I spend ten minutes on the bicycle, ~ ten minutes doing ball exercises, doing (20 X 2) OR (10 + 5) lat pull downs (at level 4 and 3, respectively), and doing 10 to 15 wall squats in demi plie. We then walk back to my home. Today at the gym I saw Ellen from work.
This afternoon, after Maureen sent me an email, I purchased some health shoes for my hips, and a pair of thick-soled black mules/clogs as well. I saw Al on the way there, and we chatted. I told Maureen about the healthy shoes during our walking session and she and I stopped by in the evening to purchase a couple of pairs for her. (She had told me about this brand initially.)
We had some mocha hot chocolate at her home after our shopping outing.
It was warmer today, it got up to freezing. The ground hog / ground pig saw his shadow and that means six more weeks of winter. I think it means that the poor li'l animal was frightened by the flashes from the cameras and the lights of the television cameras, saw his shadow, and THUS six more weeks of winter. There's a parallel here between our human perturbations of weather through our manipulations of nature.
Labels: American history, animals, chocolate, email, exercise, family, health, home, light, seasons, shoes, shopping, sleep, stress, walking, weather, work
Emailing in the Wee Hours, January 2010
I just finished emailing friends about cross-cultural issues in health care. Gotta get some sleep now...
Labels: email, health, sleep
Gentle Ball Exercises
It was below freezing this morning, so I took the bus to work.
After teaching my lab, I started office hours with Heather, Lyndsay, and Tiffany and ended them with Marnin. I shared an email from Ken about "The Mousetrap" with Marnin, whose name means "one who creates joy."
I wrote a little of a student's reference, worked on grade sheets and attendance sheets, walked home, took a nap, had a small dinner, and then walked with Maureen to the gym, where I bicycled ~ ten minutes, then did three ball exercises for a total of fifteen minutes. Maureen and I walked together, I attended a chinwagging poetry meeting (where we discussed "Invictus", poems by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Blake, Wordsworth, Shakespeare, etc.) Now, I'm blogging...
Labels: biology, blogs, cold, email, exercise, name, poetry, walking, weather, work
