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
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
Carnegie Museum of Art, September 2010
Yesterday before work Marissa, Beatrice, Solomon, and I visited the Carnegie Museum of Art. Marissa had the stack of cards with images/facsimiles of items from the permanent collection (that I had given her about a decade ago. She had us play "treasure hunt" with each of us assigned a separate card. We even asked the security guards for help. There was an art history class from the University of Pittsburgh, and the children engaged with one of the students from the class. We even had time for a second card each. I greeted some the security help whom I know from having worked there.
Labels: art, Beatrice, Carnegie, games, museum, niece and nephew, school
Putt Putt Golf
I've been up since ~ 4.00 this morning.
Last night Nancy and I met up and went to putt putt golf in North Park. It was great fun. We played both courses (I even got a hole-in-one on the 16th on the Tropical Course), and watched the mini Grand Prix, bumper boats, and carousel.
We went for a snack of rolled Caesar salad at a bar/cafe which her hubby will most likely not visit soon, as there was a smoky atmosphere there, and he has recently kicked the habit.
Mom, Dad, and I sang a "Happy Anniversary" to Joyce and Greg into their answering machine last night.
~~~
Napped from 7.00 to about mid-morning.
Labels: addiction, anniversary, dining, games, jewelry, phone, singing, sports
Choir End-of-Year Party 2010
Left with Maureen and Karina for a Teacher-Staff Day at Costco. I bought pan de sal and a pineapple. We also stopped at the craft store. We then brought the perishables in to Maureen's place, had a quick lemonade drink, then parked the car to go to the Walnut Street Arts Festival. We also stopped in some shops, mostly to window-shop.
Maureen drove me home, I spoke to Jennifer H, and showered, bringing my umbrella, camera, and the multicolored flaxseed chips and French onion dip. Jennifer and her hubby Brian gave me a lift to the party chez Diana and Craig (and Andrew). There was plenteous food, music on the two pianos, a capella singing (notably of the 2-choir Biebl "Ave Maria" piece), games (of Apples to Apples, with eleven players and Jennifer H winning five Green Cards!), and chit-chatting by attendees. Upon a recommendation from Gabe's brother Carlo, I tried the delicious strawberry shortcake, as well as Jennifer H's toll house cookies.
After fond goodbyes to everyone, Brian, Jennifer H, and I took leave, but not before taking a photo of the misty view out their front door.
Labels: art, celebration, Choir, dine, games, music, New York, photos, shopping, singing, teaching
end of Week One, Summer Break 2010
Wednesday Mom and I went to an office to take care of administrative issues. Then Dad, Mom, and I had lunch at the Japanese seafood buffet on the way to Homestead.
Thursday, Marissa and her children and I went to the playground at the park. We then met William at the computer store and dined on Italian food on Bellefonte Street. It was delicious, and the waiter commented that we were the first group to sing "Happy Birthday" to the restaurant. We enjoyed two flavors of birthday cake and favors.
Today I mailed a ballot to New York---it will arrive with plenty of time for the counting.
I need to take care of more administrative tasks before the weekend starts: Something with the office on campus, faxing items downtown, and getting Maureen a plant for her sister.
Labels: Birthday, citizenship, dining, flowers, friends, games, organizing, Philippines
the "Elympics"
Mom, Dad, and I watched the Winter Olympics from Vancouver after choir practice tonight. We watched the men's Nordic skiing long-distance wins by two Americans and an Austrian. We watched the women's free skate program, in which the favored Kim Yu-Na dazzled the audience and was taken by her own scores. She was joined by Mao Asada from Japan, and Joannie Rochette of Canada on either side of her on the podium. More women's figure skating results are linked here.
Mom, Dad, and I were dazzled by the Olympics tonight, or thee Elympics, as Joyce's kids used to call them. A nice way to unofficially end the bulk of my work week.
Labels: games, international culture, sports
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
W2W: Beginning Week 2 Walking
Yesterday I went in to office hours: To meet four students and to help Heather S. and her team with pouring agar plates. I arrived just shy of noon and departed after 16.30.
Maureen and I went for a walk, and we ran into Jude on the way. She chit-chatted for a while.
We made a U-shaped walk, running into students and alumni and others who were on their way to the basketball game (passing through the building where the Newman Club used to celebrate Mass before their current building to avoid the thick of the crowds). The whole route took exactly 30 minutes.
Upon my return, I helped Mom and Dad with more typing and proofreading work after a dinner of egg and beef torta.
Labels: Church, dine, Faith, friends, games, Mass, sports, student, walking, work
Glamour, Game Shows, Dating Advice, and...Work?!
Here is a link from Glamour Magazine that shows how successful game show contestents have similar qualities as successful dates.
• Be open-minded.
• Stay engaged with the interviewer and the world around you.
• Learn to laugh at yourself.
• Energy, energy, energy!
• Be authentic.
As someone who teaches, I realize that I tell my students ideas for studying from game shows:
• Have a study group.
• Divvy up the work.
• Make up sample questions and quiz each other.
• Play the game!
• Be ready for virtually any fair question.
• It's okay to look foolish...but only while practicing.
• It's all up to YOU in the end.
• Don't be surprised by comprehensive questions. It's a final exam.
• Don't be surprised by manipulatives: It's a practical exam.
Of course, I don't necessarily say the above-mentioned sentences. I tell them specific advice from a lab, examples. Some of them "get" it, and others don't listen. It's not up to me to make them do their work.
So, the theme for today's blog post is GAME SHOWS.
Mom's favorite game show is Jeopardy! She's been watching it since the beginning. Intelligentia trivia, I see why she likes it so much.
Karina mentioned this week a game show similar to "Name that Tune" from India at which I would be good. Linking music....
Game shows: One of my favorite genres for watching tv, and for helping students to study.
I must write more in a future post.
Labels: games, list, love, student, surprise, teaching, tests, TV, work
Feast of the Holy Family 2009
I sang with the choir today, the Feast of the Holy Family 2009. We sang Coventry Carol for the preparation of gifts, and Rutter's Christmas Lullaby (our "signature song") after hymns for communion. Stopped in the sacristy to sign off that I do NOT pick up the printed readings for Mass, as I read them on the "USCBC [sic] web site." The United States Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops' web site has the daily Mass readings. Said hello to Carol & Princess, and Fr. Josh after Mass, as well.
Kelly prepared fresh green bean casserole, roasted veggie mix, and we had various cold cuts and meat loaf, too. We enjoyed the Brooklyn chocolate bars: dark chocolates with truffles and sea salt (savory) and one with pecans and maple syrup (sweet). We also enjoyed stollen with marzipan, and fudge with mint creme. We chatted about our extended family, and are preparing to play a board game.
~~~
Played Upwords with Kelly, Mom, and Dad.
The end of the game brought my laying my last tile, and Mom, Kelly, and Dad unable to lay their last tile. We watched the longer version of The Sound of Music. I then set up bill paying for an additional account tonight, as well as checked my email.
Labels: Choir, cinema, dine, email, games, Mass, photos, read, St. Paul Cathedral, TV
Off to Choir, Shortly...and Thus begins a Christmas Season
Dad, Mom, Kelly, and I met up with William's family for lunch at the sushi buffet. Beatrice, Solomon, Marissa, and I enjoyed making eggless sugar cookies with banana slices for Santa this morning. Solomon enjoyed playing the game "Is it Hot?" even though he is in a phase in which he likes to say "No" a lot, too.
I helped mom with their travel insurance before we departed for lunch.
They stopped at a friend's home to deliver a gift, then Kelly and I rested in the car whilst they went to CVS.
It's off to choir, shortly, to begin another Christmas season. I've finished the cards for the choristers, my little tradition.
Labels: Beatrice, celebration, Choir, Christmas, family, games, gift, niece and nephew
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
Victorian Christmas Party
After singing at Mass this noon, I dressed for the Victorian Christmas party in a velveteen skirt with petticoat, thin white sweater, nubby wool multicolor jacket trimmed with velvet, a fuschia "snowflake" pin (that Solomon liked). I helped Mom and Dad bring some of the decorations (including some variegated small potted plants) to the Omni William Penn Hotel. I took a nap in full regalia, then Dad and I left to help set up the party. I arrived armed with Christmas craft ideas from Nancy (stickers, stencils, snowflakes) and a few books from the library (Twas the Night Before Christmas, Aliki's Christmas Tree Memories, and Snowflake Bentley).
The "children's table" was self-entertaining---I merely supplied them with stencils, scissors, and a paper punch. The DJ started, and the carollers (Victorian singers, four in all) arrived soon after. The buffet at the Bob and Delores Hope Room was open at ~18.30. The dance floor was opened, and when the song was played that sings, "How low can you go?" I could not "get down" as low as before...and was surprised to have won a Christmas Party Mix CD. William and family arrived soon after, and the continuing medical education event in the Lawrence Welk room ended, bringing us all into the Delores and Bob Hope room.
We had a group photo of the kids, Santa came to visit, there was a lot of dancing,
the carolers strolled about during and after dinner, and there were toss the ball games, which Dan conducted.
Labels: art, celebration, Choir, Christmas, dancing, games, music, photos, singing
Busy Busy Day: First Day of Choir Practice
Thursdays will be my busy days this semester. Even without classes yesterday, my Thursday was busy.
I took my prophylactic antibiotics before a routine teeth cleaning, met Eric for computing help while covering for B for an office hour, sitting in office hours while a handful of my new students came to catch up and make up, (a second consecutive day at) physical therapy, and then our first day of choir practice.
To introduce myself, I said, "Hi, I'm Grace---And I'm standing," which brought a round of applause. I also said, "I've been in choir since '98, with a hiatus...And I teach at Pitt."
Don explained that "[I] now have..."
"..hips!" I exclaimed, joyously.
~~~
4.50am Sunday 13 Sept 09
Oh, also missed the Steelers 2009+ season opening game.
Labels: BAD, biology, Choir, games, health, school, sports, student, surgery, teaching, teeth, work
Official Tour Guide
Yesterday, at about 2am Uncle Alex, Auntie Baby, and Auntie Chuchi arrived for a Labor Day visit. I went to run errands in Squirrel Hill, at the Carnegie Library, and sheet music was provided for a piece I had requested on CD.
Mary Ann H. picked me up, we went to the Pitt vs. Youngstown State University football game at Heinz Field, and had great seats. When the score got to 31 vs. single digits for YSU at the end of the third quarter, Mary Ann and I headed back to Station Square (no chance of flipping the game at that point). Lots of walking for us "li'l ol' ladies."
I headed home for a meal and a nap, and then met up with Christina for some dancing in Squirrel Hill. Fewer "regulars" were there, Ralph and Larry were the only leads with whom I regularly dance with who were there.
Today, I will be the Official Tour Guide for the visiting group.
~~~
Monday 7 Sept 09, 9.55
Yesterday we dined at Pamela's Diner, where President Obama enjoys the Pancakes made by Pamela and Gail's recipe. Dee-lish. Chuchi and I enjoyed an order of Pamela's crepe-like pancakes and Lyonnaise potatoes. We all went to see the stores and street vendors on Penn Avenue on this long weekend. I met up with them again at the end and Chuchi and I went in search of Mom's movie requests, first at the library...
which was closed when we arrived. We enjoyed touring Schenley Plaza (there was a magician under the tent, and the carousel was in full force), the front of the Pitt Frick Fine Arts building (both with views of the Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel), and Forbes Field home plate in Posvar Hall.
We headed home after to find where we might find A movie. After a few phone calls, we found Music Box with Jessica Lange, one of mom's favorite movies, which she first saw with Uncle Sonny and Grandma. We all took a nap. Auntie Chuchi made dinner! It was delicious. William's family joined us all, though it was beyond the children's bedtime. After William's family departed, Dad, Mom, Uncle Alex, Auntie Baby, and I watched the movie. Chuchi turned in early.
We'll be going to the sushi buffet today.
Labels: Carnegie, cinema, dance, family, games, library, sleep, sports, visitor, walking
Toronto III and IV, August 2009
Yesterday Allan and I took Colleen to the Ontario Science Center after lunch that included sinigang and pad thai and chicken curry. We had fun on the way to KidsPark: seeing the green forest, looking and touching the minerals and rocks, riding the escalators, and coloring outside (and receiving free milk). It was a feat
to turn away from KidsPark...
to the artist's billiard ball contraption. We visited D level, then the mezzanine/Eagle's eye view and the Human Body on E level.
In the end, we returned to KidsPark and the artist's kinetic sculpture,
and visited the Space section before leaving about four hours after arriving.
Colleen had a grand time, and wants to return.
We had Greek food at Allan's home for dinner.
~ ~ ~
Today, the Lolos and Lolas drove Colleen and I to downtown Toronto, where we
drove through Chinatown,
parked, and walked through the mall with Sears.
We then attended the anticipated Mass for Sunday at St. Michael's Cathedral. We sat right by the candles for St. Jude.
We visited two Chinese bakeries for snacks before continuing on to dinner.
Dinner was with Allan, Sonia, Samantha, and Matthew; Christie and Petrie and Colleen, and the two Lolos, two Lolas, and me. We truly enjoyed the Korean barbeque-it-yourself at our tables. Colleen entertained us with songs and fingerplays; she in turn was entertained by Sam's I-pod.
Labels: adventure, Canada, cold, dine, dining, family, games, garden, geology, health, ice cream, international culture, Mass, museum, niece and nephew, photos, science, walking
Beatrice's Half
William, Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon joined Dad, Mom, and I for dinner last night. After dinner, Beatrice and I played with the multicolored 3-dimensional beads-on-wires-on-platform. I introduced the concept of "half" to her with the beads.
Solomon and Beata went to lie down with Lolo and Lola. Solomon slept for a while, until Beata's singing and storytelling was loud enough to awaken him; then he chowed down a snack of crackers and cheese and milk. When I left them to go home, Solomon was sound asleep on Lola's lap in the living room and Beata was telling Lolo a story soon after (another) "lights out."
Labels: Beatrice, dine, games, niece and nephew, singing, sleep
Laundry, Physical Therapy, Airline Miles Promotion
I awoke at ~6am today to do some laundry. After breakfast I went to physical therapy. I told Keelan that I was kind of sore in the socket from Monday's walking adventures. I still need to develop my muscles...
I completed my profile for the airline miles promotion, and played the online geography game. I also took a nice nap this afternoon.
Labels: BAD, exercise, games, laundry, pain, sleep, travel, water exercise
Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad!
For brunch I took Mom & Dad out for breakfast foods...to the same place Maureen took me on McKnight Road. We had:
me: Cherry cheese blintzes
Mom: Bacon & Eggs with Hawaiian pancakes
Dad: Blueberry Belgian waffle
We got Miranda a Michael's gift certificate, and then Mom & Dad stopped by Robert's in the Strip District to pick up Benny's Pirates shirt and also bought more Pirates memorabilia.
Just called Uncle Sonny to leave a musical birthday message on his answering machine...Mom at the piano, Dad, & I.
This was my first full day of physical therapy exercises on my own. Just finished my second time today for exercises. Even did the "Jane Fonda" exercise again this evening.
Labels: anniversary, BAD, baseball, berries, Birthday, California, celebration, dining, exercise, family, games, music, niece and nephew, sports
