Snowbound 6A, Wednesday
This morning the Cathedral was locked up except for two entrances on the side. I entered Mass and Fr. Bill was saying the Kyrie (in English). Audrey C. was the lector, and John was the server. Seventeen parishioners received the Sacrament of the Eucharist this morning.
I took some photos after Mass, and noticed that there were traction marks from the Trax on shoes in front of the Cathedral. I made phone calls this morning and walked with Maureen after noon Mass to Panera, where she had lunch and I bought bread.
We pondered the concept of taking a 54C bus to the ends of the line. I said, "I'll take the bus to the Allegheny [North side], but I won't go to the end of the South Side line." We discussed the possibility of selecting a bus that would slip and plunge to the depths of the South Side slopes. "What would our obituaries say?!" We talked about a possible headline and first sentence:
Pittsburgh Educators
Two Pittsburgh educators were found DOA at the hospital after using the 54C bus line to stake out road conditions during this past snowstorm. This was a natural extension from their daily walk to escape cabin fever in this, the sixth day of the state of emergency in the 'Burgh. The bus they were riding was found at the bottom of a ravine below the South Side slopes.
We plan to watch the DVD of Herb Alpert: Live at Montreaux.
~~~
19.50
We watched the DVD and chatted over white tea, as well. Maureen worked on a Reflection (I acted as administrative assistant and typist extraordinaire), and we enjoyed her brother-in-law's chili for dinner.
I waited for a bus, and one came fairly quickly. The snow was plowed clear to the curb sometime between when I had last travelled from that bus stop.
Labels: cold, humor, Mass, photos, Pittsburgh, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, transportation, weather
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
and There were nine...
Nine little Steri-strips lookin' so fine.
They all hung on, and still there were nine.
~~~
Labels: BAD, humor, poetry, surgery
Checkin' email
Picked up S from the airport this afternoon, amidst rain on the way home.
S. and I discussed issues of my journal from 1990 after a nap/grading (5/6) session. Now we are checking our email before dinner...in the 24 hour computer lab on campus.
I said that there is much useless, detailed information that I wrote in my journal twenty years ago...but it was fun to read. We talked about recording/documenting our teaching to students; how it is very difficult to find the time to document our pedagogy. I shared the Acid Rain Teacher's Guide, as well as the Schubert Lieder and we talked about Les Chansons de Faure, the first-ever CD I purchased.
We talked about the C-leg and how it works (its computerized mechanism) on the way to campus.
We compromised on the rate of walking, as S strides faster and I stride shorter, in order to accomodate our individual handicaps.
We talked about swimming, and other exercise, and voice lessons.
Labels: accessibility, biology, computer, email, excited, exercise, health, humor, school, sleep, swim, teaching, voice, walking, work, writing
Happy Lists
So, what makes one happy? This blogger ran an on-line hour-long chat about happiness. Read and get some insight.
Some things that make me happy:
Thankfulness lists
Time for myself
Time to help/serve others
Humor
Labels: dreams, excited, humor, list
Inauguration Day 2009
Today, I lectored at a memorial Mass the day after Lolo's birthday. Fr. Breier celebrated, Matt was altar server, and Ken played the Wicks organ. Fr. Breier wore a red vestment from the Philippines, and we talked about his relative who served as a priest in Japan who had a cousin who was archbishop in the Philippines, and was a doctor, surgeon, dentist, pharmacist, and undertaker. In the POW camp in Manila (which was probably the University of Santo Tomas campus) he was quite useful to the Japanese who were occupying the city. He probably knew Lolo, who treated troops from America, Japan, and the Philippines.
We collected eyeglasses at the Fifth Avenue entrance of church, then departed for haircuts (with Dad driving and our making a stop at McDonald's for breakfast). Mary Jane had the television on, we watched pre-inauguration pomp in which the powers-that-be and the powers-that-had-been pass through the portals of the White House before their ride to the Capitol Building and the Inauguration.
We ladies commented on Michelle Obama's dress ("It's very difficult for most of us women to carry off a yellow dress," "I sure hope she's layering a long silk shirt under that suit"). We also hurried home in time to catch Dianne Feinstein continue to make introductory remarks before the official Inauguration Program. We heard Gabriela Montero (piano forte), Itzhak Perlman (violin), Yo Yo Ma (cello), and Anthony McGill (clarinet) play a piece by John Williams commissioned for the event, Joe Biden sworn in as Vice President, Aretha Franklin sing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and Barack Obama take the oath of office. Elizabeth Alexander read her poem, "Praise Song for the Day." How very moving, the whole event. The military choral group sang, and we decided to go out for lunch.
Mom, Dad, and I had lunch at the Japanese sushi buffet. Quite delicious. We enjoyed vanilla, red bean, and green tea ice cream after.
We worked on dad's curriculum vita and on Mom & Dad's correspondence after that. We also watched the Inaugural parade, during which we commented that some of the onlookers in the reviewing stands looked positively COLD.
Labels: American history, Birthday, hair, humor, ice cream, Mass, medical mission, St. Paul Cathedral, tea
Linda's Bucket List (better than a movie, not as long)
Linda I. sent me the Bucket List, an email...
~~~~~
The Bucket List - This is fun!! Hit forward and place an X by all the
things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not, and send
it to your friends (including me). This is for your entire life!
Gone on a blind date X
Skipped school X
Been to Canada X
Been to Mexico X
Been to Florida x
Been to Asia or Europe X and X
Been on a plane X
Been lost x
Been to New York City X
Been to Hawaii X
Cried yourself to sleep x
Played cops and robbers X
Recently colored with crayons X (if you count oil pastels)
Sang Karaoke X
Paid for a meal with coins only x
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose X
Caught a snowflake on your tongue X
Danced in the rain & snow X
Written a letter to Santa Claus x
Helped a child X
Been kissed under the mistletoe
Water-skied
Parasailed
Snorkeled /Scuba dived X
Seen a falling star X
Watched the sunrise with someone you care about X (Death Valley!)
Blown bubbles X
Gone ice-skating X
Gone to the movies X (what kind of question is THIS?!)
I skipped the MORE section...in this posting
Labels: email, friends, humor, list
Lysistrata
After a long afternoon nap, Nancy C. and I went to the Studio Theatre at the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh for the Repertory Theatre's version of Lysistrata by Aristophenes, and directed by Kaitlyn Wittig, who was last seen in Big Love last season, which Nancy and I also saw. We enjoyed some dishes (paneer for me) at Victor's restaurant afterwards.
Labels: humor, international culture, Pittsburgh, school, Songs, theater
Wicked Good, Mom's Birthday 2008-II
Last night Mom, Dad, William, Marissa, and the children and I dined out at our favorite Chinese restaurant in Bloomfield. Beatrice is very outspoken and well-spoken. She will change what she says slightly if you indicate that you don't understand what she is saying.
Tonight I took out Mom to Wicked (PNC Broadway Across America) at the Benedum. William and Marissa arrived a little while after. Marissa and I both agreed that it is the best show we have seen in a couple of seasons here in Pittsburgh...never a dull moment. William found the first act more engaging than the second act. We all loved GALinda as she flipped her hair and her legs as she sang "Popular" to her new best friend. We spotted a popular gal as we exited; she was oblivious that the show made fun of her throughout.
Labels: Birthday, Broadway, dining, family, humor, music, Pittsburgh
Mom's Birthday 2008-I
Today Dad, Mom, and I attended a morning Mass (during which someone passed out, causing a call to the paramedics) before we went for a short shopping trip followed by lunch out with William, Marissa, and the kids. We enjoyed the new sushi restaurant, including the ice cream. Beatrice particularly liked the pink dessert (coconut-covered bucci), perfect for a little girl just shy of two years old. I had a chance to hold Solomon at the end of the meal.
Talked to Nancy about the diocesan choir trip after returning home, then took a long nap.
Labels: Beatrice, Birthday, children, Choir, dining, diocese of Pittsburgh, family, humor, ice cream, international culture, Mass, niece and nephew, Pittsburgh, shopping, singing, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral
Please Read...
This from my friend, Linda
Labels: humor, politics
"Gone."
On the way to parking at the library tonight, William spotted Charles, on the way to teaching a class. We promised that Beatrice would sing her song to him next time.
During family story time at the Main branch of the Carnegie Library, William, Beatrice, and I went to a program led by Kathy M-W. She led them in a folk dance, then in origami story time, then she led the Hokie Pokie.
During the origami story time, she asked, "What would happen to the boat if it ran into [various places]?"
Beatrice answered, "Gone."
~~~
William and I corrected Beata at the children's department, when she "turned away" a little girl at entrance of the reading "tent" in the center of the room.
"Beatrice, you need to share."
"Say I'm sorry."
~~~~~
We said our farewells to Kathy, who presented us with a homemade box and snacks. We chatted about her daughter, who is in the third grade now, too. On the way out we quickly said hi to Miss Mae.
Labels: Carnegie, dance, family, friends, humor, international culture, library, Pittsburgh, singing
"You've got a Cadillac...I've got a stick."
I saw a woman in an electric wheelchair while waiting today, and I said to her,
"You've got a Cadillac...I've got a stick," and brandished my cane.
This drew a laugh from her, nodding in agreement.
~~~
I had two lab sections in the past two days, and physical therapy early Monday morning, with a new PT student in partial attendance, too.
Labels: accessibility, BAD, exercise, humor, philosophical, Pittsburgh, surgery, water exercise
