Goin' for a Spin!
I met up with Marissa and Beatrice and Solomon for a bike day yesterday! I went for a short 3-circle ride before they came, then Beata and Marissa biked to the end while Solomon and I "ran to Beebee and Momma."
"We'll tell stories there," Solomon informed me. We did, and while Marissa got the camera they learned about sycamores ("which have spotted dotties of green, yellow, and brown on the branches,...and BIG leaves shaped like [hands]." We also saw a locust tree as we left, which Beata pointed out has "smaller leaves" and the leaves were shaped differently.
A fun-filled day that we all enjoyed.
Labels: Beatrice, bicycle, biology, exercise, family, niece and nephew
Themes
Painting (Oil and Watercolor)
Art
Hot Weather
Music--Bernstein's Requiem, My favorite movement of all Vivaldi pieces, sacred acclamations from the Mass
making muesli from grain
Hornflakes
Panoramic Paintings
Hot weather
Meeting Jehovah's Witnesses
NOT climbing tower/s
Good food
Good Thai food
Seeking relief from the heat at a pool
seeing political leaders
Good company, throughout
Good homemade food
Good homemade Thai food
Good Indonesian rice table
assistive technology for exercising
Labels: accessibility, art, dining, exercise, health, list, love, music, painting, shopping, water exercise, weather
This Week in June 2010 II, Car Day
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
This Week in June 2010
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
Early Morning I, June 2010; Yoga June 2010
I awoke ~ an hour ago, early for me on a Saturday morning. Am organizing the papers I photocopied yesterday night.
I'm planning on going out with the girls tonight for dinner. It will be fun, but we'll miss Maureen, who is visiting family.
~~~
13.00
Karina and I went to yoga in Squirrel Hill, after she repaired a necklace's jump ring connection for me. We had yoga class for a little less than two hours, explored Squirrel Hill a bit, then are both at our respective homes to cool off from the muggy, hot morning.
Labels: dining, exercise, friends, jewelry, organizing, seasons, sleep, travel, weather
Yasmina Reza's ART
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
Last Choir Sunday of the Season, Feast of Corpus Christi 2010
This Sunday was the Feast of Corpus Christi, our last Sunday as a full choir. Fr. Bill celebrated the Mass, and his homily was quite thought-provoking, addressing fringe elements of society who believe in the Eucharist.
Mom, Dad, and I went for Chinese/country buffet where we took Kirsten a couple of years ago. There was a dramatic sky, due to a tornado watch, and Mom took various pictures of the sky and buildings as we approached home. We were temporarily rerouted due to the Summer Reading Fest at the public library.
~~~
Monday I went to physical therapy (no ankle sleeve!) and Cara stepped me up to more resistance and more exercises (including the arm bicycle and balancing on foam. I walked from home to pick up some medicines for a basic medicine cabinet, and then to the library for computer work, and to the public library for a reserved book "waiting for me."
I had dinner, and Maureen and I went for a walk (after 20.00), running into Stacy and Vladimir on the way across the street. We looked at my borrowed library book (which is missing a fold-out city map) at the park benches near the library. I slept early, after a day of ~1.75-2.00 miles.
Labels: celebration, dining, exercise, health, library, Mass, photography, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, walking
National Donut Day 2010
Friday I read / lectored at Mass in the morning. Fr. Bill celebrated, John DeF. served, and Ken played the portative organ. <~54> Maureen and I stopped by after her work and my physical therapy (where we added releves to my exercise regimen) at the donut shop in Squirrel Hill. We braved the rains to get a beverage and a donut. I got the employee's favorite, blueberry with maple icing (which tastes like blueberry pancakes with maple syrup). Maureen got her coconut favorite. I got a plain donut with chocolate icing for Karina. We picked up Karina at the Newman Center and proceeded to Victor's restaurant, where we enjoyed a spread that included a great! okra dish. I walked away stuffed.
Labels: dining, exercise, Faith, friends, lector, Mass, St. Paul Cathedral
Beginning of June 2010
Yesterday was the first day of June 2010. I awoke ~5:30 am and took care of various questions and issues:
Got an appointment for physical therapy evaluation
Asked questions on the phone about insurance, my (lost) hip/s card and needed preventive antibiotics, and using my battery charger at different voltage levels (no converter needed, just the adaptors).
I made spaghetti with white clam sauce with Mom, and a lovely salad for us to enjoy for lunch (and later for dinner).
*
Today, I awoke ~5:30 and took two long naps as I did yesterday, but not before going to morning Mass and inviting Anu to the Sunday reading Bible study by Fr. Drew.
I went for an evaluation of my health problems by Cara, PT.
And I attended Parish Pastoral Council, where we discussed updating the website and Elaine, Carmella, and I received thank you gifts for our time on Council. Matt will receive his later.
It is pouring down rain, so Tom gave Elaine and I rides home.
Labels: Bible, dine, exercise, Faith, Mass, pastoral council, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, travel, weather
Sleepy, Physical Therapy Exercises
I've had a~2-hour nap this afternoon. Then I had a snack and drove to the gym for my prescribed physical therapy exercises. I did some recumbent bicycling, select exercises from my B + A sheets, then went to the pool for my pool therapy exercises. Showered, and figured it took about two hours to complete this whole process!
Maureen, Karina, and I will probably have a snack together this evening before I turn in.
Labels: dining, exercise, sleep, water exercise
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
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2010
After choir practice and singing in the choir at the noon Mass, I stopped by for the talk sponsored by the Race and Reconciliation Dialogue Group: "News from Haiti," by Richard Gosser, Executive Director of Partners in Progress. An informative talk, with "before" and "after" slides of schools, orphanages, and convents---before the quake and after the quake.
I received a message from Maureen with an invitation to go for a field trip and walk about while we shop. We went to Monroeville Mall, and then went to Whole Foods for a snack. We ran into her niece, Lauren, who will be taking her certification exam tomorrow afternoon. She gave me helpful hints about my achy-upon-intense walking left hip.
I returned home to prep for tomorrow's class and quiz administration.
I'll go to bed early tonight.
Labels: BAD, biology, exercise, Faith, friends, geology, international culture, school, sleep, walking, work
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
Watch that Left Glute!
I'm getting pain in my glute after walking ~10-15 minutes...my orthopedist says to decrease my (impact) walking exercise and to increase my gentle stretching and strengthening exercises given to me by my physical therapist. I sincerely hope that it is just a soft tissue/muscle problem; and I'm sure they do, as well.
Labels: exercise, health, walking, water exercise
Sunday Leading into Monday...January 2010
Sunday, Mom, Dad and I attended noon Mass, with me in the choir loft. Afterwards, we had lunch and I helped them with a few computer issues. I went home for a long nap.
Dinner at Mom and Dad's, then for an early bedtime, only to arise just short of six o'clock this morning.
Taught my class, ran an errand downtown (saw my birder friend on the bus and Susan E. in front of the library). Stopped in at a clothing shop. Caught a bus to Panther Central, for administrative stuff. Walked to a computer lab to print out more items to update my seating charts. Walked home, called Maureen, and walked to the Business Library on campus to pick up a book for Karina. Stopped by Karina's place; she treated us to hot chai and soup. We did some extension exercises as well as quad strengthening exercises (wall 1/2 squats), then took Karina for a walk / walked me home.
A fun time was had by all.
Labels: computer, dine, exercise, home, library, Philippines, school, shopping, sleep, student, travel, walking, work
21 Days
On Wednesday and yesterday evenings Maureen and I went for a half-hour walk on each day. I also made arrangements and plans for my summer, mostly by phone, but also using the Internet.
Karina says that if one starts an activity and continuously keeps it up for 21 days, it then starts to become a habit. Maureen and I are making walking every weekday our habit.
Labels: exercise, phone, travel, walking
Beatrice and Solomon, Pastoral Council meeting
Today I stopped by the physical therapy/orthopedist office, saying "Hi," to Keelan and dropping off Christmas greetings for him and for Dr. Tanya.
I unpacked Mom and Dad's groceries, picked up some fried chicken for lunch, enjoyed lunch with them, then took a three-hour well-deserved nap. I prepared a salad for the pastoral council get-together, we enjoyed munchies by everyone (especially Carmella's pasta!), and enjoyed the company of the other pastoral council members, of Fr. Breier, of and Fr. Bill, our new priest. I headed back to see Beatrice and Solomon, who were tiring of the party at Lolo and Lola's building. We headed to Lolo and Lola's place to sing, dance, play with my bell necklace, read for a short time, and walk/run down the hall. Lolo and Lola soon followed, and their Mom and Dad stopped by within the hour. Dad and I double-checked my addition on the practical exams (for security sake).
Labels: Beatrice, Church, dine, exercise, niece and nephew, pastoral council, sleep, work
Heaven on Earth: A Second Life
When at a street fair in Philadephia this past month, I overheard someone saying, "And when dancers stop dancing...." referring to the second career of dancers after their oft-times truncated performing life is over. I turned to my friend Sara and said, "There's not a whole lot of us dancers who dance again after stopping. [and, as in explanation:] Now, my new hips let me dance again."
I know that my original acetabular structure should not have allowed me to dance--no, wait, to WALK. But I was able to dance (en pointe), run, hurdle, rockclimb, horseback ride, ski (downhill and nordic), do aikido (including taking high falls), and a multitude of other activities. It's a wonder that I could even walk (and I've been told that by others, too). I was blessed.
Then the structures became arthritic, and I am fortunate that I live in a time and place on this planet that I could get physical therepy, then subsequently obtain operations to "repair" my hips. I'm older now, and can't do most of the activities I mentioned that I could do fifteen or more years ago, due to limitations on my new bionic hips. But I'm doubly blessed, because I've been given a second chance on life. I can still walk. I can still dance. One of my friends calls my situation a "second life." And it is so. You hear people talk about Heaven as a place where there is no pain, and where one can dance and play like when younger, and where you are surrounded by people who love you. My, my, my, then: I am now living a Heaven on Earth! [*Pyuh, pyuh, may I not be jinxed*]
It reminds me of the song sung by Lee Ann Womack, "I Hope You Dance."
Labels: BAD, dance, exercise, love, music, Songs, surgery, walking
No Choir Practice: Ballroom Dancing
Today after work I went to physical therapy. Donna presented me with 4 compilations of music! I practiced the "A" set of land exercises and all of the water exercises.
Tonight, choir practice was canceled. Christina and I went to the ballroom dance class in Squirrel Hill. Whilst waiting for the class to begin, I observed the beginner Aikido classes, too.
We learned West Coast Swing and Latin, too. Brian taught the classes quite well. Christina's friend, Ryan, danced with us, as well as Brian and Ray from the Catholic group. We had a fun time and enjoyed ourselves dancing various ballroom dances.
Auntie Chi, Mom, Dad, and I chatted about our morning plans for tomorrow.
Labels: Choir, dance, dining, exercise, friends, water exercise
Walkin' after Seven
I went to physical therapy this morning, then taught this afternoon.
I had dinner, took a nap, and met up with Karina and Maureen for a walk to the far side of Shadyside and back to Maureen's car for a ride home. There was an opportunity to stimulate the economy, which I took.
Labels: exercise, friends, shopping, sleep, walking, water exercise
