Thanksgiving 2010
Thanksgiving this year was spent at William and Marissa's home, with their children and with Mom and Dad, Les and Cherie, and me as guests. We enjoyed side dishes prepared by Marissa, and the bird and some sides and a pie pre-prepped by Giant Eagle ("Big Bird"). There were desserts galore, including pies and cranberry crumble, all topped by fluff/whipped cream.
Labels: dine, family, family-Marissa, seasons
Flu Shot Week
I received my flu shot this Monday, received a request for a letter of recommendation for pharmacy school from a former student on Tuesday, and today I went with Marissa and the children to the Hallowe'en party at the library. We played card games afterwards with Marissa's parents, and then I went to a work meeting.
Labels: biology, Carnegie, family-Marissa, games, health, library, meeting, recommendation, seasons, work
Wellesley Day to Make a Difference, Frick Estate
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
Truth on Tap, October 2010; Lunch with Beata & Solomon
Karina (exhausted) invited me to Truth on Tap, then took a long nap (she didn't wake up, my tired friend).
We talked about Conscience with Frs. Steven and Joshua. I brought up the "Jiminy Cricket" conscience model. "And always let your conscience be your guide."
~~~
Today after singing at noon Mass with the choir, I went to have lunch, cookies and milk, popcorn, and fun with Beata, Solomon, and Marissa. A Sunday afternoon nap ensued. Nana and Papa will arrive late tonight. Maureen and I met for a snack ~16.30 at Whole Foods.
Labels: Beatrice, Faith, family-Marissa, friends, niece and nephew, sleep, snacks
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
Mother's Day, 2010; Toy Lending Library
Sunday, Mom & Dad, Les & Chere, and William's family went for Chinese food in Fox Chapel for Mother's Day.
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Yesterday Beata and I had lunch at Panera's whilst Marissa and Wawa were at the toy lending library. We joined them late in the game, but not after saying hi to a group of senior citizens and to Richard, who I explained to Beata helps to keep my building nice.
Maureen and I went to get her a new battery for her watch yesterday afternoon.
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Today I spent the morning neatening up my living room.
Labels: cleaning, dining, family-Marissa, niece and nephew, organizing
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
Easter Week 2010
Easter Week 2010--I had my Monday and Thursday classes rate their classes (via the Office of Measurement and Evaluation) this week. One of my current students, K, was the evaluator from OMET today ("You can say what you REALLY think of this class. I won't see the evaluations until after your grades are posted.") As usual, I dressed for photosynthesis week.
I had two students request recommendations from me: One, a current student, K, for pharmacy school, and the second, a former student, Y, for rehabilitation sciences school. Just today C, a former student, told me that she had switched from pre-pharmacy to nutrition and dietetics, and hopes to go to graduate school in genetic counseling.
My birthday was fun!! Tuesday was my Pilipina celebration for lunch at Taco Bell with Mom, Dad, Auntie Chi, Marissa, and the two children. We then went around the Waterworks Mall. We ran into Les and Chere there. Tuesday night William and his family took me out for dinner at Sun Penang, a Malaysian restaurant in Squirrel Hill. We enjoyed an eggplant dish (spicy), a tofu dish, chicken coconut milk fried rice, shrimp dim sum, and Asian sponge cake for dessert (as per Beatrice's request). We also went to Cold Stone Creamery for Solomon and my birthday ice cream. I had dark chocolate ice cream with brownie mix-ins (a la Steve's, now defunct in Harvard Square).
Wednesday when I arrived about 15.30 at Mom and Dad's we had a homemade carrot cake with whipped cream icing. Mom, Dad, Auntie Chi sang to me, and I blew out the candles. We enjoyed the cake, and then drove Auntie Chi to the airport. I took an hour nap, then it was time for parish pastoral council. We had pizza, cake, and drinks. We broke into break-out groups and Roseanne and I worked on the web page together with Fr. Kim. Quite productive. Roseanne and I prioritized the work.
Labels: biology, Birthday, chocolate, family, family-Marissa, ice cream, niece and nephew, pastoral council, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, student, transportation, work
South Side Water Plaza, Yoga
I visited South Side water spray plaza with Susie, Chere, Grampy Bill, Will, and we were later joined by Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon. The warm ~70+ Fahrenheit day was sunny and brought children out in droves. We visited REI afterwards, I went home to rest, and then observed/attended Karina's yoga class in Squirrel Hill. We stopped by a Dollar Store for snacks and containers. We went for barbeque bacon cheddar beef sandwiches with curly fries and drinks afterwards.
Labels: dining, exercise, family-Marissa, shopping, sleep, water, weather
Sunday in the Park with Beata, Solomon, and Will
Had brunch with William, his family, and his in-laws at the sushi buffet on McKnight Road: William, Marissa, Beata, Solomon, Les and Chere, Grampy Bill, Susan, and Will. We enjoyed a leisurely brunch.
After, we headed to the North Side water spray park. We had a lot of fun; the children even swayed on the swings. All was well until Beata headed to the "water activator" and slipped. Marissa and Solomon are with her now whilst she gets checked out. I dropped William off at home, as he has an event at Schenley Park. We noted a large truck disregarding the clearance of an underpass on the way home.
Labels: excited, family-Marissa, moving, Pittsburgh, traction, travel, walking, water, water exercise
Hallowe'en 2008
After work today I headed to chez Beatrice et Solomon for dinner with them and their parents and Nana and Papa. We dined on butternut squash soup, rice with General Tso's tofu, chicken in white sauce and stuffing with cranberry juice. Beatrice trick or treated behind Nana and Papa's doors on the first floor, I handed out mini Milky Way bars to the children who appeared at the front door, and we dressed Beata and Solomon as little clowns for trick or treating at Carnegie Mellon University. We visited the Science and Humanities Scholars' floor, and Beatrice enjoyed this immensely. William took a pic of a poster on their floor. On the first floor, K, a student dressed in a "SAVE DARFUR" T-shirt, encouraged her to take some candy and to take a UNICEF box for trick or treat.
Before dinner, I called Mom to hear updates about their voyage through Eurasia.
Labels: Carnegie, family, family-Marissa, international culture, school, science, seasons, student, surgery, surprise
Queenship of the BVM, Dinner at William and Marissa's Home
Yesterday morning at Mass we celebrated the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass, with John serving, Bob K. lectoring, and Don providing the music ministry. Elaine, Mary Lou P., and I particularly enjoyed the homily, which stressed the scripture reading and Mary's openness to God's will for her.
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We had a delicious dinner of curry veggie pancakes, salmon cakes, crescent rolls with veggie filling, whole steamed carrots, rice, juices, and more for dinner at William and Marissa's home. Mom, Dad, and I noted how much taller Beatrice and Solomon look. Beatrice "read" a few books to us. Quite the talented little girl. She, her brother, and mommy are preparing to visit the Illinois relatives, including Will and Grampy Bill.
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I had spent part of the morning and afternoon working on the latest version of the encyclopedia article. Late morning, one of my editors called me with regards to the organization and particulars of the article. Yesterday afternoon, I was in contact with an especially helpful librarian at the health sciences library system on campus about searches.
Labels: Church, dining, encyclopedia, family, family-Marissa, library, Mass, neighbors, organizing, research, school, St. Paul Cathedral, travel, writing
My Fitful Sleep
Am I doing too much? Am I reading too much? Working on too many projects? I always had the difficulty of not knowing how to relax properly in my downtime, always taking on projects then. I did confess this year to Marissa's dad that when I meditate I think of "nothing," which may be telling of my li'l brain. Still, I have multiple projects to tend to, filling my days and nights.
...Leading to my fitful sleep last night. Reading several books at once: My Sister's Keeper, Eat Pray Love, books on reducing clutter, and writing the encyclopedia article. I need to keep telling myself that sleep for me is paramount, more important than any project with a deadline two weeks away or a library book with a due date three weeks away. There is time---what is the hurry?
Karina and I were telling Christina last night that "there is no hurry; there is no rush." If we can be so calm in that portion of our lives, then why do I feel so driven, so masipag, in my academic portion of my life? Does this echo back to my college days when we estimated 400-700 average pages read per night by a Wellesley student?
Or does my healing hip play a role in all of this---my jockeying for a comfortable position to sleep in---first on my side, with a pillow "spacer" between my legs, then on my back, with a pillow supporting my operated leg. The Benadryl never seemed to kick in last night...a pack of cookies and milk finally did the trick.
I took a number of catnaps yesterday, which expanded to fill my afternoon until I woke and went to Faith Sharing at the Newman Center. Maybe I overslept yesterday afternoon; maybe I overdid it.
Whatever the cause, I didn't get much sleep last night and vow to make up for it today. This typing doesn't help, but may put me in a frame of mind to be other than somnambulant---doing my walkabout at night, while my eyes are half-asleep, little slits that peer out into the half-lit apartment.
Labels: BAD, blogs, encyclopedia, excited, Faith, family-Marissa, health, home, love, meditate, organizing, pain, philosophical, read, research, sleep, surgery, Wellesley, work, writing
Planting Seeds May 2008
Yesterday Beatrice and I planted flower seeds that I had received from Ellen for my birthday. We sat on the back deck and planted four pots of seeds. I also dropped my cane off the side of the deck! Les and Chere were there, too. The concept of the little seeds becoming flowers was too abstracted for Beatrice, yet.
Marissa took some photos of my pre-surgery (now-unscarred) hips...and even a little video of me dancing on the back deck!
Labels: BAD, Beatrice, dance, family-Marissa, garden, niece and nephew
Mother's Day 2008
I called Mom on the West Coast at about 7:30 am her time. "Are you my mother?" I said, quoting the children's book. [Because you must be, to answer the phone for me at THIS hour.] She returned the silly phone call later today.
Choir practice and singing at Mass was not the same as previous Pentecost Sundays, as we did not sing of the “The gale of God, the singing fire of life.” I love that Spirit-filled song---so moving and poetic and reminiscent of the winds carrying the Spirit.
It was one young man's Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation (Patrick/Ambrose), Mother's Day, and Fr. Tom's last day on the job as Parochial Vicar here at St. Paul Cathedral. We on Pastoral Council gave him a gift of a filled piggy bank, and a gift certificate to Mitchell's Seafood restaurant. He is arriving at his new job in time to accompany the elementary school students of Good Shepard in Braddock to Kennywood. We attended the farewell party for him in the Social Hall after Mass. He really deserves to be the pastor of his own parish. He has so many gifts to give them.
I went from that event to tea/dinner at the Frick Cafe with Les, Chere, William, Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon. The broccoli/cheddar cheese soup, pulled pork sandwich, and Tres Leches dessert were all wonderfully rich. Beatrice liked the blueberries and whipped cream from my dessert. We returned to William and Marissa's home to have Marissa and her mom play anagrams, and the rest of us to sleep or meditate.
Mom called near the end of my visit to ask,
"Who is the Larry like Seinfeld? What is the name of the show?" (Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm)
and
"What is the name of the cafeteria in downtown Parkersburg near the Parkersburg Art Center?" (Wawa guessed, incorrectly, Wendelken's)
Labels: California, Church, Curb Your Enthusiasm, family-Marissa, ice cream, niece and nephew, pastoral council, St. Paul Cathedral
Time Zone Change 2008
I'm getting used to the time zone change, from Pacific Time to Eastern Time. Also, arrived at Tues/Wed at ~midnight, so there was that sleep difference to get accustomed to. Yesterday, after some errands, I spent the afternoon at Beatrice and Solomon's home with them and their mommy, Papa, and Nana. Also sneaked a couple of naps in...
It's good to be back in (overcast) Pittsburgh.
Labels: family, family-Marissa, sleep, travel
Tracking...
...Solomon began tracking with his eyes (as his Daddy noted this evening). Mom, Dad, Les, Chere, William, Marissa, Beatrice, Solomon, and I enjoyed a lovely dinner together prepared by (ahem) Mom's Catering! Thin spaghetti with white clam sauce, a shrimp and veggie dish, two kinds of eggplant dishes, dressed and tossed salad, rice, and green tea or sodas were the spread. Beatrice had some gawdawful diaper rash, and was a good sport about her baby lapsit songs. The adults noted differences in the tune for "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
Today I also posted grades for my students. I was generally pleased, with an average that made sense/jived statistically, and a fair testing procedure...I was actually ready to post Monday afternoon, but was sent away for Tuesday. Mom went to the Bill and Hill rally downtown in Market Square yesterday.
I also voted in the primary today.
Yesterday I received a fun postcard in the mail, which made me chortle. It was definitely one NOT to throw back to the fishes. Pretty funny...I may have to start a brand-new category just for this postcard! (Besides the fact that it took a while to arrive).
Labels: children, deltiology, family-Marissa, philosophical, politics, singing, surprise, thankfulness
Cheshire smile
Upon leaving Wawa, Marissa, Beatrice and Jujube's home about twenty minutes ago, I spied a Cheshire cat smile in the sky--just a thin sliver of fingernail in the night sky. I had stopped by to pick up the video cam for this week.
My birthday started off great---I lectored for an early Mass, with Fr. Brian W. celebrating, Ed S. serving, and J.R. providing music ministry on the Wickes organ. The reading was from Acts 6:8-15, with the psalm 119:Iab. I then had breakfast, dropped off graded papers for my students (who are having lab away from their lab classroom this week); headed to the computer lab for recording grades electronically; ran into my supervisor, Carole, who made a request of me for the end of this week; attempted to take two online quizzes for my work at UPMC (they didn't work); and stopped at the Main branch of the library to pick up a video on hip replacement, and spoke with Mary Ellen. I had lunch (mostly leftovers at M&D's), headed to RIS to read a show (which inadvertently was taped over another episode--darn!), stopped by the UPMC office to retrieve some paperwork. I then met Marissa, Beatrice, Chere, Les, and later William for ice cream at Ben and Jerry's in Squirrel Hill. I had a cupcake of New York Super Fudge Chunk topped by a layer of brownie, ONE Cheesecake Brownie, icing, and Oreo MMMMM! William, Marissa, Beatrice, and I stopped by the Squirrel Hill branch of the library. I saw some great luminous paintings by Yuriy Mudrenko there. Then we were off to meet Les and Chere for dinner at Aladdin's. I had the Baba garden wrap with a side salad. All were delicious. Chere particularly enjoyed her meal. We then met up at William and Marissa's, where Beatrice shared some of her flashcards with me. We then shared a banana, and it was time for Beatrice to retire. Charles called to sing me a happy birthday, and then I departed shortly thereafter for home.
What a wonderful way to start another year. I hope to live a long life--as long as some of the sentences in this particular posting.
Labels: art, BAD, biology, Birthday, cinema, dining, family, family-Marissa, ice cream, lector, library, Mass, painting, read, RIS, science, St. Paul Cathedral, work
Beatrice right before Jujube
Beatrice is an intelligent, sweet, good kid. I went to go visit her and her parents yesterday at their home after I ran some errands in Squirrel Hill. It was good to visit with her, and her puzzles, books, and scoot around the first floor after her.
Today, I saw Beatrice, too, when Les and Cherie, William, Marissa, and Beatrice, and Charles met me for dinner at Carnegie Mellon. We spent some time walking around the restaurant, watching the "soccer ladies" kick the ball, and generally enjoying good food and company. Marissa recounted the time at her study, and showed us the books they gave her.
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Yesterday was our first return to choir after Easter. We practiced, then practiced some more in front of the BVM altar (where the temporary Wickes organ is stationed). The sound is good.
Today at lunchtime William and I attended Charles's colloquium at Carnegie Mellon on Henry Hornbostel and the Skyscraper. It was nice to see people we know again--Chris from when I had started working in Pittsburgh (at the PCM), and Helen Faye and Ray. Helen Faye is certain I will have a good "bionic woman" experience, since many of her students have had the same surgery and are much older than I am. I told her what I have told many of my well-wishers: That I am REALLY looking forward to this surgery.
Labels: art, BAD, Beatrice, family-Marissa, friends, Marietta, niece and nephew
Family Tree I
Later this morning William will stop by to enter data into our VERY LARGE family tree/banyan. He purchased a software program at the end of last year to do this project.
Back in the early 1980's I took a class at Marietta College in the English Department with Mr. Owen Hawley. The final project for this class was a family tree, a genealogical project. I had interviewed both Grandma and Lalang by letter, and had quite a bit of oral history as part of the project. There were photos, too, including one from 1978 of my Grandpa's funeral.
About a dozen years ago, I had lent the document to one of my relatives, who currently cannot locate it. This fact, when brought up, makes some in our family livid.
So, needless to say, William, starting last week, has recommenced to interview Dad and Mom about genealogical matters. He started with an overview of the siblings of Dad and their children last week.
Today, he and I will take a document brought by Uncle Aling from the Philippines which traces the Alba line back a few generations and enter the data into his database.
Labels: family, family-Marissa, genealogy, Grandma, Grandpa, Lalang, neighbors, Philippines, Pilipino culture
