Delivering Fenton, the automobile fiasco, Beatrice's bike, the Student Prince
Tuesday I was to go with Maureen to Ross Park Mall. We planned to meet Nancy C there. I volunteered to drop off a package of art glass to Joyce (she left it in Mom and Dad's car) at Gene and Phyllis's home. I went to the gas station, filled up the tank, then went to the coffee shop across from Maureen's home. When attempting to start the car, it wouldn't. Dad came by and waited for the tow truck for us, bringing the other car.
Maureen and I stopped by Gene and Phyllis' home, saying bye to the the whole family. As 79 S was backed up, we took 19 S and picked up Krispy Kreme donuts on the way. We met up with Nancy at Ross Park Mall, and I got quilting pins for Mom at Jo-Ann's Fabrics.
I received good news in snail mail today.
Wednesday, I went to the Newman Center for discussion of this Sunday's (Assumption) readings. Spoke to some of my friends in the evening. Car still in the shop.
Thursday, I spoke with my health coach (I had lost weight and had gained it back in the same time period---time to analyze in a 2-day span my caloric intake). Mom had a hairstyling appointment at 10.15. Mom, Dad, and I had burgers across from the Park where we went at ~12.40pm. Beatrice won a lottery to get a bike and helmet from the City. The Mayor presented it to her. Lolo, Lola, her mommy and brother, and I were there.
I picked up a book at the library, my "homework" to read, c/o S.
I watched the silent film, the Student Prince, based on a book called Old Heidelberg.
Today we picked up my car at the garage from repairs. I later met Marissa and children at the restaurant across from her exercise facility. We had fun eating 18.00-20.00! I then watched Lisa Kudrow on the new show "Who do you think you are?"
Labels: automobile, bicycle, Carnegie, cinema, dining, Faith, farewell, friends, library, niece and nephew, politics, repair, shopping, snacks, TV
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
Bishop Hebda to Michigan
This noon Mass was the send-off for hometown boy Bishop Hebda to the diocese of Gaylord, Michigan. The choir sang, among other pieces, Schalk's "Where Shepards Lately Knelt" and "Gaudete."
Jennifer H., Diane and Craig met downstairs for the reception. We then all joined up for a late lunch at Mexican food on Centre Avenue.
I responded to an email from a friend from "way back"--from elementary school days. We have decided to get together again after all these years.
Labels: Choir, dining, farewell, friends, Mass, music, reunion, school
Fourth Sunday of Advent 2009
Today was Ornella's final day with choir. After choir I hugged her warmly and declared, "It's been wonderful." The choir, after the postlude, presented Matthew Craig with a Celtic cross.
Mom and Dad and I had Chinese food at Squirrel Hill. I napped for a bit, then met up with William and his family at Qdoba in Shadyside. Beata and I enjoyed singing and ringing the jingle bells around my neck, while Solomon bounced along. After Lolo and Lola presented Christmas gifts to them, the kids enjoyed reading books whilst the guys watched the Steelers game. ("Daddy's watching the Steelers," Beata declared early on this evening.)
I helped Mom compose and type some letters for PAMS. Maureen and I chatted about the movie we watched last night, Evening (2007), as well as about how teaching LCD/divisibility rules are like following the rules of a game or of a game show.
Labels: Choir, dining, farewell, games, gift, music, Philippines, singing, teaching, volunteering
Evening
The movie Evening (2007) had the central character, Ann, played by Vanessa Redgrave, seeking---but not finding---peace throughout the movie. This film showed her relations to her family, friends, and nurse and showed her flashbacks in time, all from her deathbed. She sought peace through her singing, her being in love with her (then-)young daughters and with her first infatuation.
Her avatar for seeking peace was Harris, her first infatuation and who continued as a point of longing throughout her long life. She even asked her friend on her deathbed about him, despite the fact that she was aware that he was not available to her.
Labels: cinema, farewell, love
White, Big Flakes!
Last night while I slept the big, white flakes floated from the sky, coating the trees, ground, and, well, the parking lot. I can hear the sheer surprised voices of the garageman/groundsman bearing shovels when the shovel/truck showed up.
Mary Ann just called me re: Ornella's party. Calls will be made, then an executive decision shortly.
~~~
10.00
After multiple phone calls, it appears that we will have a cozy party of about 8 people at Ornella's farewella. I am in charge of picking up the guest of honor.
~~~~~
17.15
This morning I picked up Maureen, then we met up with Ornella at the coffee shop near the grocery store. I enlisted Ornella's help in ingredient selection for the salad. For example, in selecting the salad greens:
Me: European Mix?
O [scrunching up her nose]: No, something American.
Me: Santa Barbara mix?
O [smiling]: Okay!
And, in selecting the cheese:
Me: Ornella, which cheese to go with all of this?
O: Mozzarella....the small ones.
We had a nice group of about ten folk.
After all others had left, Mary Ann, Nancy, Mary Louise, and I discussed cell phones, cell phone packages, and health care/insurance issues.
~~~~~~~
22.00
smaller flakes on my way back home after watching the movie Evening with Karina and Maureen. A good movie with an all-star cast. I discuss the movie in later posts.
Labels: celebration, cinema, dine, farewell, health, phone, photos, seasons, weather
Finished Grading! Fall 2009
I've completed the grading of all practicals this semester. Just have to add up the scores, calculate the grades, and then enter the grades in my grade sheets.
I'm going for a walk with Karina shortly. Then I will go to an Ornella-farewella party.
Labels: biology, celebration, farewell, photos, work
Nothing Was the Same
I just finished this week Kay Redfield Jamison's memoir, Nothing Was the Same. She is currently Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University.
Her book addressed her life with and without her now-deceased husband and the joyous times they had together, as well as their battle with his cancer, and her ensuing throes of grief and despair from the loss. Definitely an interesting read. She contrasts her grief with the moods of the depression she has experienced.
~ ~ ~
I found some quotes from the book particularly interesting to share:
from "Mourning and Melancholia":
Hope can find a place in a mind missing love. It cannot find a place in a mind taken over by depression. In grief, one finds the absence of a life, not life itself. In depression, it is otherwise: one cannot access the beat of life.
from "Fugitive Dyes":
I had often said to my patients who were struggling in the wake of mania or suicidal despair: We are each an island. It is your task to bring to your own island what you need to live long and well: love, beauty, diversion, friends; work that sustains; a meaningful life. Look at Maui, I would say: everything was brought in by man, insect, bird, or wind. It is your life; it is short. Treat your island with regard. Do not let it go to weed; do not give it over to anyone else. Understand the possibilities. Know the dangers. Keep away the ungenerous and unkind.
~ ~ ~
I have had two students who have lost family members this past week. I found myself listening to their stories, then quietly saying, "He's at peace now," or "She's at peace now" to them, as well as reminding them to tell their lab partners of their loss (they may be surprised to find that their lab partners are accepting, accomodating, and human about their situation).
Labels: accessibility, color, encyclopedia, farewell, flowers, friends, health, meditate, moving, read, sleep, work
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
Two Picnics
I went to two picnics yesterday---one after the noon Mass at Church, and one at my building for dinner.
The St. Paul Cathedral parish picnic was much fun. I sat next to Regina's parents at Mass, and we sat together under a tree at the picnic. Brian's family sat at our table, Christina and her brother Bob joined us, as did Mom and Dad.
Christina and I explained that we knew Brian from the Newman Center and that he was missed.
Christina and I wandered around after dessert (and more dessert of gobs), and agreed to meet for Bible Study this week.
~
I went back for a nap, some work, and then my building's picnic. We played Meet-your-neighbors Bingo, and I signed "Have flown a plane" "Lives on Nth floor," "Teaches/Taught at Pitt" and "Likes to Paint (art)."
I had fun talking to my neighbors from my floor, and the 5th floor.
~
I typed some documents for Mom & Dad last night, too.
~
Sunday morning Maureen stopped by and we talked about teaching strategies.
Labels: art, dining, Faith, family, farewell, friends, St. Paul Cathedral, teaching
Shadyside Arts Festival 2009
After lunch, and after watching the memorial Mass for Ted Kennedy (his sons gave moving tributes to him right before Barack Obama's eulogy) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica, I took the 71C bus to the Shadyside Arts Festival. I saw one of my former students, Rachel K., on the bus, and we chatted. I met up with Maureen and Karina, and we had a grand time there. I also took photos of the clouds, which were beauteous today, after the rain had cleared.
We stopped by Maureen's place to check the dance schedule, to search for a crucifix for her mom, and to see my blog.
When I returned home, I found out William was not feeling well, and read on the Internet the peak in swine flu cases with returning students on campuses. I decided to rest, and to forego dancing.
Labels: American history, art, blogs, dance, family, farewell, health, photos, Pittsburgh., school, sleep, student
Farewell, Ted Kennedy
Farewell, Ted Kennedy: The last brother in a dynasty. His sister Eunice passed away earlier this month.
Labels: accessibility, American history, farewell, health
Radio Information Service, absorbed
The Radio Information Service has been absorbed by Duquesne University's WDUQ. My personal finance show has been eliminated from programming. Fond memories of the station on Wharton Street, the people, and the production of programming.
I'll be looking for volunteer work closer to home soon.
-Grace
Labels: Duquesne U, farewell, personal finance, read, RIS
Pizza and Back to the Future
Yesterday, I went in the morning to physical therapy. After lunch and an afternoon nap, I met up with Christina and Rachel for pizza and a movie---Back to the Future, which I haven't seen since it came out back in the 1980's.
We noted little things about the movie, such as a cameo appearance by Huey Lewis. It bothered us that the character of Doc kept pronouncing GW (gigawatt) differently. But all in all, a wonderful movie...we were joined by Kristen and Daniel and by PJ and Joey before the end of the movie.
Farewells to Rachel ensued, as she is departing Friday for points west.
Labels: cinema, dining, exercise, farewell, languages, science, water exercise
Corazon Aquino: Turning Points in Philippine History
Cory Aquino died this weekend. Her former term in office was preceded by the People Power Movement of 1986 led by herself---educated in the US, the widowed wife of Ninoy Aquino, who sought the presidency himself before being slain at Manila airport---and Cardinal Jaime Sin.
Cory, your steadfast spirit of peaceful demonstration touched the Philippines' heart and that of the world. We all promise to uphold the democratic principles for each generation.
Cory, you've worked hard, now it is time to rest. God be with you.
Labels: Church, farewell, Philippines, Pilipino culture, politics
Farewell, Miss Fleming
Found out about the passing of one of my college physics professors, Miss Phyllis Fleming. Here are links to her obituaries from the New York Times and the Boston Globe.
Ms. Fleming made physics fun! She always made a point of chatting with students about physics, college, and life in general. She even listened to us if we had suggestions to improve the lab design. She is one of the reasons I am now a university science instructor myself.
I took advantage of the MIT-Wellesley exchange program (which she started) to attend classes and do research at MIT, experiences I'll not forget.
Brava, Phyllis, for a life well-lived!
We'll miss her grandly, yes, we will.
Labels: farewell, school, science, teaching, Wellesley
Christoph's Send-off II, Tall Trees Music/ Dr. Zoot
After attending 10 am Mass this morning I rode with Jessica to Rick's favorite German eatery on the North Side. It was intended as a [second] send-off for Christoph. We enjoyed the brunch buffet, and then the apple fritters mit glace after. Don, Rocco, and Karen all went to the Aviary after.
I took a nap, then picked up Karina and Rachel for the Tall Trees Summer Music Series, with Dr. Zoot's swing dance band.
Christina and I were the first dancers out on the dance floor (Dancers! I danced!!)
Rachel and Christina danced later, and were joined by other dancers.
After getting separated, our two cars found each other and we ended up having dosa, idli, fried donut, all with coconut chutney and sambar at Udipi Cafe. What a yummy snack!
Labels: dance, dining, farewell, international culture, Mass, music, St. Paul Cathedral
Choir Party: Send-off Christoph
This afternoon I carpooled with Mary Ann to Doug's home for the send-off picnic for Christoph, who will be returning to his homeland at the beginning of August.
We had much fun: Judi grilled the hamburgers and hot dogs, everyone brought potluck dishes to share. Don raised the issue of the next choir tour/trip with a single word: "Spain!" and followed up with a proposed date of next July. I countered that we may want to fundraise for two seasons instead of for one season [to avoid the white-knuckled fundraising experience]. The Christmas CD was not mentioned.
Christoph supplied a return toast after Don toasted him. Christoph said that being in the choir made his experience here better than if he hadn't been in choir.
~~~~~
Mary Ann and I spoke with Nancy after we departed from the choir picnic, and she is holding up well after the disappearance of her brother-in-law from a boat Saturday.
Labels: Choir, dine, farewell, friends, international culture, photos, transportation, travel, water
Farewell, Walter
Walter Cronkite, legendary news anchor for the CBS Evening News, passed away yesterday evening surrounded by family in New York. He was 92.
Although the continuous reportage by him in the CBS Newsroom of the JFK assassination while pulling his heavy-frame glasses from his face to wipe the tears from his eyes was a classic moment, I merely viewed reruns of that moment in time. I recall watching, with my siblings, on our home television the moment of the first walk on the Moon...(Armstrong: "That's one small step for man.....One giant leap for mankind.") We saw him reporting so many groundbreaking events that we voted him in a poll the "most trusted man in America" in 1972.
And, true to form, as Mr. Cronkite himself said, "Old anchormen, you see, don't fade away, they just keep coming back for more," and we now see video feeds, images, and accolades to him today on the Internet websites, just as we would on the AP and UPI wires in the old days.
Yes, Dan Rather was right in saying that Walter Cronkite set the standard for television news reporting. And Brian Williams was correct in saying that there was no clay model, no mold for television anchoring before Walter Cronkite.
An objective, steadfast personality whom we welcomed into our living rooms night after night during my formative years---Walter Cronkite, the iconic news anchor and beloved by his wife and family, passed into the gentle night. "That’s the way it is."
Labels: American history, farewell, international culture, NASA, Peace, politics, TV
