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
Watch Battery
Stopped in yesterday to get a new watch battery. Alice checked the man's watch for problems (none), and put a new battery in the Timex. She stressed not to go swimming with the watches.
Labels: jewelry
Communications, Dry Cleaner
Thursday I dropped off some dry cleaning and I took care of some communications. I stopped in the jewelry shop to get a new watch battery...but the person I wanted to talk to was not present. I was told to return tomorrow.
Labels: jewelry, laundry
Friday's Art Crawl
Friday afternoon Charles and I met up with Susan downtown for my first experience at Art Crawl. We noted the skywriting, as well as the photos of skywriting in the gallery that had much silkscreened art. We tried the apple-almond paste tarts at the culinary school down the street, and experienced the gallery installation by the Carnegie Mellon University students.
Then, we headed to Wax on Ellsworth Avenue to Susan's friend's jewelry opening. She makes sturdy, artistic, whimsical whistle pendants. We all enjoyed chatting for a while, and then departed for our respective homes.
Labels: art, Carnegie, dining, friends, jewelry, school
Up at 2
I arose at 2 today. I went to sleep at 19.00 last night, woke up at ~21.30 and watched fireworks on television. I had a late-night snack and fell asleep about midnight.
I've been surfing the Internet since then, and answering email messages. Playing with my new phone.
~~~
I fell asleep @ 6 and awoke at 9. We waited for Kelly, who was to stop by on her way home from vacation. I ended up going with Karina to the craft store in the Waterfront, then to Giant Eagle (Big Bird, as I am wont to call this store). I worked on an organizing project, and on my address list of my friends. Liz gave me her phone numbers, and Kim and I gelled plans for later in the month.
Labels: art, celebration, computer, email, jewelry, organizing, phone, shopping, sleep
Independence Day 2010
I awoke at 2, went back to sleep, arose at 5 (to the strains of the alarm), and was up until ~9. Took a nap after breakfast and photocopied the rebates for the phones, preparing them for mailing.
Mom and I met up with Dad for noon Mass. We all scurried off afterwards so that they could make it to their Bobby Vinton concert bus pick-up location.
Karina and I went to a craft store to get supplies for our projects. We got waylaid at Rita's Ice for mango ice and mango "gelato." We each made a project in the car. I made one with her help, utilizing a sentimental object from my childhood.
Labels: art, ice cream, jewelry, Mass, phone, sleep
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
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
6 Hands Jewelry
Today I took care of quite a bit of correspondence in the morning. Maureen, Karina, and I went to the Waterfront to the craft store. Maureen selected a number of beads for a tri-partite bracelet for her sister. It had a water/leaf/nature theme to it, with colors in the green-blue-aqua family. We each made a strand for the bracelet, which were then wound around the others, and fashioned into a bracelet.
"6 Hands Jewelry"! I declared, high-tenning my crafty partners.
Donuts played a role in the evening, as well!
Labels: art, dining, friends, jewelry, shopping, writing
End of the Week
Yesterday, Karina, Maureen, and I went for meditation, (then we were joined by Nancy) and discussion of Zen readings in Lawrenceville. We walked around the neighborhood afterwards, and looked about a little shop afterwards, which Karina astutely noted is chock full of recycled items.
So, after Mass celebrated by Fr. Bill, served by John, and music-ministered by Don <48>; Mom and I went to Waterworks Mall today--mainly to get me tan anklets. I'm sooo excited about these little socks. They are microfiber and also have a little plastic elasticized piece at the Achilles tendon attachment! How useful. (Sunday: Until you try them on---then you realize that they slip off my smaller foot at the heel.)
Mom shared some of her costume jewelry with me, and I met up with Christina before Bianca's Bible study tonight. Luke gave an informative talk on the Church in China, then we went to Bianca's final Bible study. Christina, me, Bianca, Leland, Kevin, and one more person listened to the DVD and discussed concepts of Scriptural readings. Christina kindly gave me a ride home.
I had a snack of cheeses, apples, and mixed nuts with Mom after the Bible study.
Labels: Bible, Church, dine, family, international culture, jewelry, meditate, recycle, shoes, shopping
Daylight Savings Time 2010
Yesterday I took a nap for the bulk of the morning, being tired. I chatted with choir friends after wards and had lunch with Mom and Dad of fresh lumpia enrobed in lettuce leaves smeared with peanut butter. I took another nap and then helped Mom and Dad with some end-of-presidential year administrative work, typing, and editing. I headed out with Maureen for some window shopping at a Mall on McKnight Road whilst they headed out to a Pacquiao party. Mr. Smoothie provided me with a delicious mango-coconut smoothie, and Maureen tasted a frozen drink from Dairy Queen.
We ended up renting the movie Up in the Air with George Clooney and watching it with Karina over homemade kale-chicken-lentil soup at her home. Interesting characters you meet while borrowing and returning at a Red Box location!
~~~
20.55
I'm feeling subdued after repairing the necklace I designed, and fashioned at Karina's home. It had become (partially) unstrung and I restrung it. Dad took photos of me wearing it and the matching bracelet.
Today I went to choir practice, and sang at noon Mass in the choir. Regina sang at Mass for the first time with the choir. Mom, Dad, and I went for Mexican food in Fox Chapel for lunch. I took a well-rested, well-deserved nap.
We're preparing to eat dinner shortly.
Labels: Choir, cinema, dine, family, friends, jewelry, Mass, medical mission, Philippines, photos, Pilipino culture, shopping, sleep
Findings
Just found another item I had thought was lost. A nice gift from a friend. A little worse for the wear, it is, but O Well, what can I do about it? Dwelling on it can only drive me crazy (er).
So, in finding things that I've lost, I see that:
Things are not always found where I expect them to be. At all.
The message from the universe has been to get my personal life more organized/neater. (I told my friends this earlier this week.)
I guess I just have to keep neatening up /straightening up / redding up until I find everything that's misplaced /displaced.
Labels: art, career, cleaning, gift, honor, jewelry, list, love, mystery, niece and nephew, organizing, patient, philosophical, photos, safety
Snow Ball 2010
After rising early, I spoke for much of the morning with Pratima. We chatted about career issues and compared notes on biology teaching. I had brunch, administratively prepped for classes next week to about mid-afternoon at Mom and Dad's place, and then took a long nap.
I asked an artistic question of the owner of the bead shop on Craig Street, who suggested that to keep my certain look about the carved beads I had purchased at his shop, I coat them with a non-shiny substance such as clear nail polish or [matte] fixative.
I took a shower and readied myself for the Snow Ball. I am the designated driver for Maureen, and we met up with Nancy and Tom C. there. I was pleasantly surprised to see Myrna and Jay there, and I met a number of Nancy's friends, as well, including Mark and his wife Barbara. After I changed into my dancing shoes, we gals had a chance to dance a number of line dances [including the electric slide] and other dances, and
I took a photo of Nancy and Tom C. dancing to Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World."
Throughout the evening we enjoyed the delicious hors d'oeuvres, bar drinks, and white [snow] desserts.
Labels: biology, dance, dancing, dine, jewelry, phone, photos, sleep, teaching
Friday in the Third week of Ordinary Time 2010, Coco
Today I lectored at the morning Mass. Fr. Breier celebrated Mass, John served, and Don provided the music ministry. The first reading was from 2 Samuel, the passage about David's asking to put Bathsheba's husband in danger during wartime. There was at least one audible "tsk" that I heard from the congregation when reading that key phrase. Fr. Breier delivered a homily primarily about God's grace.
As the temperature this morning was six degrees Fahrenheit (well below freezing), and windy and sunny, I took my breakfast then proceeded to take a long winter hibernation for the good part of the morning. Karina and I had lunch at the Japanese-Korean restaurant in Oakland, stopped at the post office to pick up stamps and to mail Jonathan's birthday card, and stopped at the campus and public libraries for computer lab work and for Karina's items on hold. I stopped by at home to check my messages, send a fax, and then met up at Karina's to produce the first in my earth-water-wind-sea necklace and matching bracelet series. Karina had prepared a cup of spiced chai for my enjoyment when I had arrived out of the cold. Maureen arrived when I had completed stringing about two-thirds of my necklace. I felt a great sense of accomplishment, and Karina shored us up with her homemade soup for the long evening.
We stopped at the bookstore in Shadyside to run an errand, then proceeded to the Mall in West Mifflin for the MaxiSaver movie, Coco before Chanel. We decided on a stop for fast Mexican food first, then watched the movie in a practically empty theater.
Coco Avant Chanel was about the rise of the phenomenon of Coco Chanel from personal setbacks and tragedies. It focusses on her personal life, as the title suggests, before she made a household name for herself; before Jackie Kennedy wore a signature Chanel suit to meet the President of France. Her personal life and ensuing decision to focus on her career in a time when a typical French woman was expected to become a wife was touching. Coco Chanel was a woman with a particularly striking visage who entered the fashion field when it was still dominated by men. She made a name on simple, practically austere looks and elegant, simple lines. She changed women's fashion from binding Victorian corsets and rules to flowing, comfortable lines. The music in the movie was particularly moving.
After the movie we went to a large superstore and went grocery shopping. Boy, it's late.
I'm pleased to have received an email verifying that the health emergency Thursday afternoon has resolved itself.
Labels: art, Carnegie, cinema, cold, dine, dining, health, jewelry, lector, library, Mass, painting, shopping, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, tea, walking, weather
WOW: Week One, Walking
Maureen and I walked to the hospital and back, it was ~<40 minutes, and we were pleased with the outcome of the walk, as there was a slight grade to it.
I went home for dinner, and then I'm catching up on correspondence (emails) and will attempt a jewelry project or so tonight.
Labels: art, dine, email, health, jewelry, walking
MLK Week II, January 2010
I've been up early checking email and preparing for meetings with students this week. Today is a Mass being said for Grandpa. Mom and Dad and I will attend.
Lots of preparation to do today before next week. I need to review my notes for class, go over seating charts, review my notes for class, send out emails to each class, review my notes for class. Lots of work to do.
My study breaks will be making projects from Michaels this week.
~~
Mass in honor of Grandpa was celebrated by Fr. Breier, with Jeff serving. Nancy Kelly lectored, and Don provided music ministry. "The King of Love my Shepherd Is" was the opening hymn, and the English version of "Ode to Joy" (with tune by Beethoven) was the closing hymn.
Mom and I sent a few emails to her branch of the family tree, to keep them informed as to our celebrations of their family's Masses.
Labels: art, biology, email, family, Grandpa, jewelry, Mass, meeting, student, teaching, work
Martin Luther King Day 2010
Today Dad and I went to Mass this morning. After Mass, Maureen and I walked to her house and went to Regent Square for breakfast. I stopped at Michael's Art and Craft Supply (to pick up supplies for Karina and me) while Maureen went to a clothing store. I met her there, where I purchased a top. We continued on to Gordon's shoes, where I purchased a pair of Mary Jane walking shoes. I also picked up something at the Loews Waterfront.
We continued to McKnight Road, and stopped in at the Walking Store for her to pick up dress shoes in which to walk and to teach. We went to Bath and Body works, as well.
Also helped Mom and Dad with customer service issues.
~~~~
After dinner I met Karina at Newman Bible Study. We spoke about Joseph and his brothers in Genesis. Sone of us decided to meet on Saturday.
Labels: art, cinema, dining, jewelry, Mass, shopping, teaching, walking
Early on a Saturday, Jan 2010
I awoke ~six o'clock this morning and called Karina at ~eight o'clock before I left to go to the Waterfront at nine o'clock. She JUST awoke when I was leaving for the Waterfront, so I picked her up and we went to the craft supply store to get beading supplies. I also went to get a closet organizer, and stopped at the bank, the library, and a couple of shops for music and clothes. I then dropped her off at home before heading home.
I'm now making part of lunch.
~~~~~
Mom, Dad, and I had lunch together, and then I took a nap until mid-afternoon.
We invited William and his little family to eat at Eat N Park with us---they requested a location, and we suggested another location. We ended up eating at their location due to clogged traffic patterns. Marissa and Beatrice and I sat at one table (she used a booster seat) and Solomon headed up the other table in his high chair. We all enjoyed the soup & salad bar with our meal, MMmmmMM delish. William shared the cookies from his family with us.
We stopped, on the way home, for prescriptions at the drugstore. A fairly uneventful night.
Labels: dine, dining, friends, health, jewelry, library, music, niece and nephew, shopping, sleep
Up Early January 2010
So, I'm up early this morning. Wrote an email, now I'm going to write about yesterday:
Yesterday, I woke at ~7.15 (boy, was that difficult) to the strains of my alarm. I did some computer work, then joined up with Mom and Dad for a late breakfast. Mom and I watched a movie with Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married. In the afternoon I went to a bookstore and then to Trader Joe's for some groceries. Then a nap... After dinner it was time for pastoral council. Matt and I wrote closing and opening prayers, respectively. One of the fun activities we did was to write a want ad for pastoral council. We shared a lot of topics, and ended soon after an hour, as the weather dictated our actions. We spoke about the "Grace problem" of first Wednesday conflicts, as well. Roseann, Elaine, and I slip-slided all the way home. A discussion ensued with Mom and Dad, then a nap, then some document editing.
Today, I'm up early for this last full weekday of vacation before the semester starts. Tomorrow holds a meeting, as well as a bit of administrative work. I don't have anything in particular planned for today, although I should be doing laundry soon, not because of need, but because of desire (or something). It's the first morning in a few that I've not heard the men plowing the snow in the parking lot in the wee hours of the morning. No plans for today, but Now time for another email. No plans for today, but now it's time to check my email for plans, as well as to make plans, all for within the next couple of years.
~~~~~
21.55
I took a nap ~7:30-9:30, had a late breakfast, early lunch, then took a nap, then was awakened by a call from Karina to walk to the library. She hung out in the magazine room, and I went to the campus libe/computer lab to print out some documents. I received a call from her---she had lost a bracelet her sister had just given her. She retraced part of her steps that we had taken to the library. I then renewed a book and met up with her: She hadn't found it when we got to a parking lot near my building.
I was pleased to receive a call from her stating that she had located the bracelet!
The evening was spent with Mom and Dad working on medical mission documents.
Labels: biology, cinema, cinema tv, cold, dine, email, jewelry, laundry, library, medical mission, meeting, music, pastoral council, Philippines, prayer, sleep, travel, weather, work
Exam Inquiries
Inquiries as to scores on the final practical exam as soon as the course grades posted yesterday afternoon...Email income was fairly quiet this morning: responses from last night and a couple of requests.
~~~~~
16.20
Lunch with Mom at Qdoba, I gassed up the car, we went shopping, and then to the post office to mail packages to [Auntie Chi and Uncle Sonny], Gene and Phyllis, and to Uncle Alex. First Class ended up being more cost effective than Media Rate in the end. We stopped at the resale shop in Squirrel Hill, and then headed home.
I'll take a short nap before heading out with Maureen and Karina for some seasonal shopping adventures, including a side trip for beading supplies.
~~~
22.45
A trip for beading supplies was great fun, but more fun was taking photos right before the snow and as the snow fell lightly, then with more gusto at night. What great fun! We even purchased gifts from the conservatory gift shop.
Labels: biology, dining, email, gift, jewelry, shopping, work
