Themes
Painting (Oil and Watercolor)
Art
Hot Weather
Music--Bernstein's Requiem, My favorite movement of all Vivaldi pieces, sacred acclamations from the Mass
making muesli from grain
Hornflakes
Panoramic Paintings
Hot weather
Meeting Jehovah's Witnesses
NOT climbing tower/s
Good food
Good Thai food
Seeking relief from the heat at a pool
seeing political leaders
Good company, throughout
Good homemade food
Good homemade Thai food
Good Indonesian rice table
assistive technology for exercising
Labels: accessibility, art, dining, exercise, health, list, love, music, painting, shopping, water exercise, weather
Father's Day 2010
Mom, Dad, and I met up with William's family at a pub on the South Side for brunch. Beata was overstimulated by the shouts and chanting during the World Cup game televised on several TV sets in the pub. I had the lamb shepherd's pie, which was rich and delicious.
We went for ice cream afterwards. When we returned home I helped Mom and Dad with cruise plans. I took a 2+hour-long nap, then did some computer work. Mom, Dad, and I attended the 21.00 Mass at the Oratory, then had dinner of crab claws and shepherd's pie. Dessert included fresh fruit. Yum.
Labels: dining, ice cream, international culture, list, Mass, sleep, sports
Memorial Day 2010
Slept in!
Went to the grocery store for lunch supplies.
Made hotdogs and green salad, had a great meal with Mom and Dad while it poured rain outside.
Worked on a couple of projects, went home for a 3+ hour nap.
Had dinner that Dad made.
Watched the news and Jeopardy! with Mom.
Worked on computer projects, watched part of the Stanley Cup finals.
Went home and worked on more lists and answered emails.
Hit the sack--retired for sleep---late.
Labels: dine, email, family, list, shopping, sleep, travel, TV
List VIII--A Review
So, the girls (Stacy, Regina, and I) talked about relationships over noodle and veggie dishes this afternoon. When pressed to come up with a list of qualities, I quickly rattled off two:
Nice
Available (emotionally, geographically, Literally!)
but slowed down a tad after that. (Perhaps it would have been helpful to have my List VII on hand...
"Does he have to be educated?"
Regina quizzed. I explained that native intelligence/gift/talent is more important.
"Sense of humor,"
Stacy indicated, helpfully.
"He doesn't have to be as high energy as I am,"
I said, thinking---circle/slash on the hi E.
Accepting of me, and acceptable to me (circular reasoning here?)
Tolerant of me and tolerable to me
close to my age (+/- 10 years)
There must be more, but it escapes me now.
~~~
Reliable
Honest
Monogamous
(Okay, I cheated and looked at List VII!
So here I write about what Stacy and Regina call "deal breakers"---and my cousin called preferences, not absolutes.
"I don't have any deal-breakers except those that are unhealthy for me. For example, I have asthma, so I could not be with someone who is a heavy smoker. I also could not be with someone who is a spouse abuser."
My girlfriends found this obvious, but there are people out there who "some of them want to abuse you, [and] some of them want to be abused," as Annie Lennox sang in the Eurythmics song. I am neither of those two kinds of people.
Affinity
"You'll know," Regina and Stacy both intoned.
circle/slash weirdo
List V recounts details of more of my List qualities...
Labels: dining, friends, list, love
Holy Trinity Sunday 2010
Before choir practice today, Judi gave me great advice about electronics!
After choir and Mass (during which James W's mom, James W's mom's son, and Stephanie sang with us; as well as Christina Mc sang as a chorister), Stacy, Regina, and I dined on pan-Asian food. I tried the Lard Nar (LUV those wiiide nooodles!), chit chatted about about relationships, and enjoyed our lunches (and for some of us, smoothies). As we exited, we ran into Charles, who was also on the way to pan-Asian bliss (a.k.a. noodles with chicken). I joined him, we chatted over lunch about our summer plans, and parted ways.
I caught a three-hour nap, and am making lists for this summer...Also catching up on email.
Labels: Choir, dining, email, friends, list, Marietta, St. Paul Cathedral, travel, visitor
Solomon and My Birthday Celebrations Out
I graded 1/6 more of the papers to be graded this morning. Met up with Maureen, Christina, Nancy, and Regina for lunch at the Gandy Dancer. We also enjoyed chatting, as well as two chocolate truffle cakes topped with ice cream for dessert. A walkabout Station Square ensued, then Christina gave me a ride to Monroeville and Chuckee Cheese for Solomon's birthday celebration. Christina retrieved a pizza for her family's dinner, and departed.
Solomon and Beata arrived with their parents. Beata sat outside on the bench quietly with her dad and read a book whilst Solomon and Marissa and I played games. Both sets of grandparents showed up, then we left for Cici's pizza, pasta, and salad buffet. We tag-teamed driving to the Monroeville Mall and to the Miracle Mile shopping plaza for Mom to make returns. I stopped at the library on campus to print out documents for next week. I also graded ~ 1/6 more papers that still need grading. I only have about 1/6 of the papers left to grade, then must score them and record grades.
I'll call back Luce tonight, as she called me earlier, during Solomon's party.
Labels: biology, Birthday, celebration, dining, friends, ice cream, list, patient, phone, prayer, shopping, teaching, work
SIS Distinguished Alumnus Award
Yesterday I lectored at Mass in the morning. Ken provided music ministry at the portative organ, John was the altar server, and Fr. Kim had switched with Fr. Bill for the morning Mass. The first reading was from the Acts of the Apostles, and the Gospel reading spoke about dropping the nets in a fortuitous place for catching fish. Fr. Kim spoke about Youth Ministry before Mass, and Ken spoke about the church on Polish Hill and photographs on the web. <48>
I dropped off my packets of graded papers from this week for my students to pick up just after noon.
Mom, Dad, and I had lunch (pancit! beef peanut soup! and strawberries and pears!), and then I took a nap.
I graded quizzes from about 14.00 to 17.30, half-finishing my task.
I went home to change for the School of Information Sciences Distinguished Alumni & Professional Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Athletic Association. My former professor, Ange Pollis, was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for 2010. Ken S was awarded the 2010 Professional Achievement Award. His family was present, as was Ange's, and I asked him if he were related to my classmate A, who started Protest Easy Guns (he's not). Ange and her sister Helen were and looked lovely, and we chatted easily at times throughout the evening.
I caught up with SLA friends Denise, Kim G, and I met SIS Alumni president Joe I. Carolyn B was there, and we chatted about her daughter growing up.
A lovely evening.
Labels: biology, celebration, dine, lector, library, list, love, Mass, photos, read, school, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, student, teaching, work
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
The Ten-Year Plan...
I can't believe that it's been TEN years already since Y2K!" I exclaimed to my seat mates at the table at tea this afternoon, at the beginning of the afternoon.
Stephanie stated at the completion of the meal that she remembered talking to a job coach approximately ten years ago about her personal and professional goals and plans. And here she is, fulfilling them.
I need to make a list to see how I am meeting my objectives (perhaps). Maybe I don't need goals like Karina's: the man, the dog, the house. Maybe I just need objectives: Vehicles for me to get out and to circulate more, to broaden my horizons. As I go about meeting my objectives, I will enjoy life and meet more people.
There's MY plan.
Labels: career, energy, family, friends, list, love, meeting, music, voice, Wellesley, 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
List VII
From Oprah's website:
A relationship is only as strong as its weakest link — how a couple handles their challenges.
True love is not a wish list but a "wish feeling." And the number one feeling — even before the feeling of love — is the feeling of safety. Without feeling safe, you will never feel true love. You must have trust in your partner's character and prioritize finding a partner who is honest, communicative, and empathic — someone who values growing — so you can feel safe to vulnerably be your truest core self with him — and then together the two of you can support one another to grow into your best possible selves. --Karen Salmansohn
Karen Salmansohn is a best-selling author known for creating self-help for people who wouldn't be caught dead reading self-help. Get more information on finding a loving happier-ever-after relationship in her book Prince Harming Syndrome.
~ ~ ~
About that list I've made...I guess most of my wish list captures a desire to know that the Other's character is good: Nice and available, reliable, honest, good character and monogamous, etc. etc.
Labels: list, love
Successful Women...
and marriage. Two stories about them on the Root and on NPR.
Labels: list, love
First Week of Classes: My Advice to Students
During my first week of classes my advice to students included:
1. Go get a pair of cheap eyeglasses to use in lab.
2. My "Safety Song" that Don placed in sheet music format.
3. Form study groups (the lifeblood of the college study experience)
4. You're a commuter? Find a friend on campus and bring a sleeping bag if classes are not cancelled during the G-20 Conference.
As for G-20, road closures will probably not be announced until close to the date, if at all. Perhaps "rolling" class cancellations will be in effect at some campuses. I've agreed to work for a commuting colleague during a time shift that G-20 is in Oakland.
Labels: American history, biology, list, meeting, Pittsburgh, sleep, student, work
Physical Therapy, Continued II; Monday Sundaes III, Bible Study
Went to physical therapy this morning, and added exercises for my knees--using what I call the "clock" machine. Keelan also mentioned leg squats, wall squats, and straightening the knee for knee strengthening.
Went home and cleaned up @ Mom & Dad's, took a nap, then went with Rachel to Squirrel Hill for Monday sundaes. I had a mango sorbet with a strawberry. Then walked about, window shopping and stopped in the library.
We then went to Bible Study, where we read James 4:11-12 and discussed it. I mentioned that "God gives us a daily Sabbath, during which we can quietly use the intellects He gave us to make a 'To Do' list. And then we carry out the list, one by one, step-by-step, without worry or being anxious about anything."
Rachel and I went for gyros for dinner, with some hot peppers. They were tasty and delicious.
Labels: BAD, cleaning, dining, exercise, Faith, ice cream, list, organizing
Turn it on its head: Hints for a Good Marriage
From Microsoft Network, hints for a good marriage.
Labels: list, love, philosophical
No response....
What to do if there is no response...
Labels: list, love
Add to the List
I spoke with my friend, Pratima, this weekend. She stressed that "reliability" (I guess that falls within "available") is an important quality in a partner.
I just read an article from Oprah Radio, with additional qualities listed, care of Rabbi Shmuley Boteach:
Look in places that "that foster purpose, compassion, hard work and spiritual commitment."
Labels: list, love, work
Surgeon's Post-operative Appointment
This morning I have my surgeon's post-operative appointment. I am looking forward to it. I hope to find out all kinds of things, such as when I can stop using certain medicines/medical devices and when I can start to do such things such as outpatient physical therapy, pool therapy, drive, do laundry/work the dishwasher (waow!), and dance.
~~~
19.00
My post-operative appointment was with the physician's assistant, Greg S. After a short round of X rays, he removed all of my Steri-strips (which were hanging on), taught me a "Jane Fonda" exercise after having me demonstrate it. It is truly difficult, but necessary if I don't want to walk with a wobble. We looked at the X ray films, and I discussed them. I now have two screws holding in my acetabular cup on the left, which is 2 units smaller than my right socket.
And I asked my questions:
I mentioned the various types of pain I have (probably attributable to healing and the changes in my legs/hips due to surgery).
When can I be fully weight bearing? (now, starting with a single crutch or cane, and gradually progressing to no accessories).
Blood thinner injections in my soft underbelly? (no more).
Fashion statement hose/ old lady hose (no more).
Stated my lack of any pain medication since Monday morning, my problems getting to sleep, and, should I need pain medication, if I could take the Extra Strength/Arthritis Tylenol.
Outpatient physical therapy? (Yes, Greg would write me a Rx for 3x/week for four weeks.)
Pool therapy? (As long as there is no broken skin, scabs, or blood, I'm fine. BUT NO HOT TUBS).
Driving an automobile? (Yes. And NO OTHER movement limitations.)
Dancing? (When tolerated.)
Omega-3 fatty acids, which I had dropped ten days before surgery? (Go ahead and take them).
I was instructed to get a set of X rays every two years or so, so as to prevent foreign body expulsion of polyethelene cup liner degraded pieces.
~~~~~
This morning, I contacted my outpatient physical therapist, who quickly booked me an appointment for tomorrow.
Labels: BAD, dance, dreams, exercise, health, list, pain, patient, surgery, walking, water exercise
It's Down to the Wire, Now
Twenty-four hours from now I will be in the operating room (OR). It's down to the wire now! I'm making lists of things I need to do before surgery, I need to pack, I need to make sure are at my parents' home (for when I return, post-operation), I need to bring to the hospital, I need to ask the anesthesiologist and orthopedic surgeon, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
Meanwhile, I have a small breakfast of a hot dog and take my medicine. I wait until it is time to go to choir practice, for our last Mass of the choir season...
Labels: Choir, dine, list, Mass, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery
No More...
No More...
ballet en pointe (what's new?)
aikido
rockclimbing
ice skating
roller blading
bicycling on city streets
horseback riding
downhill skiing
Can still...
walk
talk (that's for sure!)
carry a stick
Will be able to (after my next surgery)...
run
maybe even hurdle again!
do certain stretches again.
We'll see about...
playing the violin!
I wrote to my friend about a fortnight ago my thoughts:
Sometimes I think of things I used to do in my "former life" which I cannot now do....downhill skiing, rockclimbing, ice skating, running distances, etc. I haven't been able to do these things recently because of the pain, anyway. But part of growing is letting go of those things that may keep me from my focus that I need to focus on NOW.
Labels: accessibility, dance, exercise, friends, light, list, love, pain, philosophical, surgery, swim, talent, thankfulness, walking
