End of the Work Week, end of March 2012
Met up with Megan and her friend M. after work yesterday. They were apartment hunting. Met Megan earlier this week in upper campus.
Weather has been cooler...in the 30s to 50s Fahrenheit during the night to day. Was in the 60s to 80s during the day for the two weeks earlier. The bulbs (tulips) in my neighborhood, forsythia in front of my work building, and other flowers are up, due to this. Students were arriving in shorts and sandals in lab two weeks ago, and I advised them that that week (Population Genetics laboratory week) was okay to wear non-lab togs, but they should be advised that it would not be okay for the rest of the labs.
Ah, to go from Autumn into late Autumn, into Spring into Summer! That is what this last half year has been like.
Labels: flowers, friends, seasons, weather, work
Little Birdies Singing in the Trees
I awoke super-early today, probably because I left the radio on last night as I fell asleep and I awakened to it this morning. I awoke to the music and info-tidbits show that plays very early in the morning on WSHH.
O, and I'm bringing Maureen to the bus this morning (we scoped it out Tuesday night), replete with magazines to read and share with her sister and niece. The bus driver she spotted indicated to "be there [an hour before departure] because people line up."
So, it's breakfast for me, then a trip to pick up Maureen and bring her to start her adventure!
As for the title of this post/ entry, I have heard, since the end of April (= the end of grading Spring season) the birdies arise and sing earlier and earlier each week. I remember them last month (May 2011) starting to sing at about 04.30. Today, I noted (above the din of a neighbor's air conditioning unit) the singing at approximately 4.15. I expect the singing to be earlier (despite the presence of waning darkness and clear stars still visible in the sky) in the morning until the summer equinox.
Time for breakfast!
~~~~~
21.23
This morning Dad and I attended Mass celebrated by Fr. Jock (of Johannesburg), served by Anu, and music ministry provided by Don.
Today Mom and I recycled clothing in Maureen's neighborhood, recycled some more, went for Mom's dental appointment, recycled, and then Mom went to Mass at 18.00.
We ate dinner, then went to Bernie B's talk on mediation. Quite informative. I never knew the differences between all the types of mitigation.
Labels: seasons
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
Thanksgiving 2010
Thanksgiving this year was spent at William and Marissa's home, with their children and with Mom and Dad, Les and Cherie, and me as guests. We enjoyed side dishes prepared by Marissa, and the bird and some sides and a pie pre-prepped by Giant Eagle ("Big Bird"). There were desserts galore, including pies and cranberry crumble, all topped by fluff/whipped cream.
Labels: dine, family, family-Marissa, seasons
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
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
Rainy, Rainy beginning of the week
Monday and Tuesday have been rainy, rainy days. Cool, too (~50-60 Fahrenheit). Monday I ran some errands downtown. I walked from Heinz Hall to near the Kaufmann's Clock to catch a 71A bus home. Tuesday I picked up Mom and Dad from Mom's doctor's appointment. We drove to the hairdressers, where she received a stylish cut. We made an appointment for about six weeks from now. I also went grocery shopping, and ran into Kathy L from the Carnegie. We chatted for a bit.
Then, dinner last night and meet up with Susan at folk dancing to hear the Balkan group play music whilst the folk dancing continued. I danced intermittently from 19.30-22.00.
This morning, I went to the Newman Center to attend study of this Sunday (Pentecost)'s readings. The event is "on vacation" until early June. Karina arrives from the airport, I'll pick her up from the bus stop this afternoon!
~~~
20 May 2010
9.35
So, it was a beautiful afternoon yesterday when I met up with Karina at the bus stop. We loaded her bags into the car, and ensured her safe arrival at home.
Mom and I dined in the Strip District (sans Dad, who had a tummy flu) for dinner, and then I dropped Mom (and our leftovers) off, to pick up Karina for a Young Adult Church event in Shadyside. (We were half an hour late).
We retrieved her car, then walked on Walnut Street in the shopping district, then called Maureen to join us around the time her dance class lets out. She joined us for a stroll, then all three of us ladies went grocery shopping in Shadyside (Late!).
Labels: Bible, Carnegie, dance, dancing, dining, Faith, friends, hair, international culture, library, music, seasons, shopping, transportation, travel, weather
With Mom for Lunch, May 2010
I met up with Mom for lunch yesterday and we took care of some administrative stuff, as well.
~~~~~
SPRING CLEANING!! Cleaned out and organized most of a closet this morning---will recycle some blazers, summer blazers, summer blouses, etc.
Time for a little something for breakfast....
Labels: adventure, cleaning, dine, organizing, recycle, seasons
Art All NIght 2010
I met up with Regina and John for Art All Night. We also met up with Charles and Susan. The encaustic wax was useful for our little group, as both Victoria and Susan, Charles and I discussed separately and together. I spotted an Icelandic work by Stacy, and we all found favorites.
Saw K & Theresa there, Chris W (a former coworker) there. As of 11.00 Sunday, Stacy said she spotted me there, as well, at a distance. (Definitely a place to see and be seen!)
A fun--albeit rainy---ending to a productive day!
Labels: art, BAD, music, painting, photography, seasons, weather
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
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
Spring Break 2010 II
Up again in the middle of the night (I went to sleep about eight hours ago). My spring break officially starts today...I finished corresponding by email with some students and sending a recommendation letter out for one of them. During break I will take care of errands, regular check-ups / dental visits, as well. It will be a busy spring break.
Labels: biology, email, health, school, seasons, teeth, work
Spring Break 2010
I unofficially started spring break last night, after my last class met.
I showed up for choir practice late, after I tallied my candy orders for Easter. I sat separate from the choir during practice, due to my laryngitis. Alice did snacks, with devilled eggs, pepperoni rolls, cookies, and kielbasa.
Took care of some email correspondence this morning.
Labels: biology, dine, email, health, school, seasons, work
Ash Wednesday 2010
Full day. Taught all morning, office hours to mid-afternoon. Picked up Mom and Dad at the airport, and we went to Mass (officiated by Bishop David Zubik) at six in the evening. Many many people were there (SRO), and it took until past six forty-five to just to distribute the ashes, with many ministers helping. Then it was time for the liturgy of the Eucharist.
We enjoyed a dinner of salmon (marinated), corn, salad, rice, and stewed tomatoes. Yum. Mom and Dad began to unpack their bags, and then I departed to an early bedtime.
Just sent some emails, will crawl back into the warmth of my bed soon.
Labels: dine, Mass, seasons, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, TV, Zubik
Mardi Gras / Das ist ein Berliner
Today is Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday / Shrove Tuesday. I almost forgot to indulge in sweet, fat food until Maureen reminded me of it this evening. We made a run for sweets and groceries (to stock the pantry and larder for Ash Wednesday). Maureen treated me to chocolate-covered peanut butter pretzels on the way to the store. I just enjoyed ein Berliner [apologies to JFK].
Yesterday I told a few of my friends that I was concerned about my sleep cycle interruption lately, mostly due to my lack of work during the snow storms. I vowed to do more about it.
After work yesterday, I helped Maureen with some administrative tasks---mostly reports and tables that she needs to have in place for the visitors to her classroom later this week. It was fun preparing them, and looking at the progress of her students over time. We dined on chicken sandwiches and lemon-pepper steamed vegetables. Yum.
Labels: dine, school, seasons, sleep, visitor, work
Late Night/Early Morn Letter
Hi all from (currently slushy-road) Pittsburgh,
I live in the same town as my brother, WIlliam, and experienced the snows slightly differently.
I live near the campus where I work and have been taking photos every day until Wednesday (after the second wave of storms--see Wm's comment, below). Bundling up and wearing sufficient traction (early on after the snows) and sufficient traction and waterproof footgear (now) has been important. Having had two total hip replacements, I use a cane for security from falling in the snow and icy slush.
I've been to Mass at St. Paul Cathedral every morning since Monday. The 10.00 am Mass on Sunday was well-attended, but it seemed composed mostly of students / people arriving on foot.
I didn't venture out in a car until Friday (yesterday) at lunchtime, with a friend who has a heavy automobile with snow tires.
I was on a bus from downtown Pittsburgh Friday night when the first wave of storms hit--I ended up walking ~1mile from the highway exit to home, as cars and buses were stuck in the snow.
I am thankful...I remember the days growing up in Ohio when I was the main snow shoveller in my immediate family and REVELLED in it (!)
Labels: cold, family, seasons, weather
Snowbound 7 Thursday
This is the first day the University of Pittsburgh will resume normal operations.
I went to morning Mass this morning. Fr. Utz celebrated the Mass, Fred lectored, John served at the altar, and Don provided music ministry. Approximately ~24 people received the Eucharist in the congregation. I talked to Don after Mass about choir practic, travel, travelling the roads, and preparedness for snow storms.
I plan to stop by campus today.
~~~
19.15
After breakfast, I promptly went home and took a long nap. Auntie Benita woke me up with a phone call. We chatted for a bit, mostly about being snowbound.
I went to M + D's to make some photocopies before heading to campus with Maureen to drop off my students' papers and to notify them of that fact.
We dropped off my DVDs at the Carnegie public library, and then we looked for travel books and DVDs. I saw and said hello to Kathy, head of the music library, and chatted for a bit with her and HK, one of my students who was glad that we were off from class this week.
Maureen and I peeled off our boots/clogs to warm up (with the help of some tea), and then I asked her to take some of my magazines. We headed out, she to her home and me to meet Charles for dinner.
Charles and I enjoyed dinner and I a coconut smoothie at the pan-Asian restaurant. I gave him a keep-the-house-warm housewarming gift, and we chatted for a while.
I stopped by Mom and Dad's place, and am checking my email and catching up on my blog.
Labels: blogs, Carnegie, cold, dining, email, library, Mass, music, school, seasons, traction, transportation, travel, weather, work
Snowbound 6B, Wednesday into Thursday, Announcements
Announcements...Maureen found out yesterday afternoon that Pittsburgh Public Schools were closed Thursday, as well. She found this out on Facebook.com, and I noted that that site is currently ranked as the fourth most popular site for receiving news...it apparently used to be Google.com News, but the position has been usurped by people getting information from the online grapevine, instead. (from the WSSH radio airwaves, Wednesday morning)
Posted on both the pitt.edu and the my.pitt.edu websites Wednesday night was the following announcement:
In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, the University will resume full operations tomorrow, Thursday, February 11.
This announcement was accompanied by an attached one-page letter from the Chancellor, Mark Nordenberg's desk.
~~~
I spotted a Humvee on the bus ride home Wednesday early evening. Must've been the National Guard helping to clear the streets of snow, slush, and ice.
Labels: cold, radio, school, seasons, weather, work
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
Snowbound 5, Tuesday
Bring it on! The snows start again at about noon today. Half a foot ~= six inches is predicted. We shall see. We shall see what foot gear I wear for this storm. The Doc Martens with crampons have given me small, quarter-coin-size blisters on each heel at the attachment of my Achilles tendon, despite double socks.
~~~
Just returned from morning Mass. Approximately 25 people in the congregation received Communion. We were sans music ministry this morning. Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass. He delivered a homily on tradition and how human constructs such as these do not trump the heart. John served, and Joan L. lectored. I spoke with Carmella about parish pastoral council issues at the beginning and after Mass.
Time for a hearty breakfast.
~~~~~
18.35
After cleaning a bit of my bedroom and a nap, I met Maureen after noon Mass for Eucharistic adoration (at the Oratory) and a walk to her home to view the movie "My Architect." Very interesting documentary produced by Nathaniel Kahn about finding his father's life. Louis Kahn was a man married to his work in many varied ways, including sleeping on a carpet in his office, in the way he treated his closest personal relationships, and in his passion for every detail of his work.
His son focussed on his hands, even in his last goodbye to his father. This reminds me of a short story entitled "The Hand" or "Le Main" from Colette's collection of short stories entitled L'Autre Femme. In one of the scenes which did not make it into the movie Louis Kahn is quoted as saying, "Our lives are accidental and filled by circumstance."
I caught a bus back home and am enjoying a dinner of pasta, meatballs, juice mix, and salad.
~~~~~~~
19.15
"...closed on February 10th...Full operations to resume Thursday February 11th."
---voice message from the campus Emergency Messaging Service
Pitt is again closed on Wednesday February 10, 2010. Essential personnel
are to report. Full operations to resume on Thursday February 11.
---email message from the campus Emergency Messaging Service
Labels: cinema, cold, dine, health, Mass, Pittsburgh, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, traction, weather
