Philadelphia, October 2009 II
After breakfast at Honey's on 4th Street and Brown Street, Sara and I caught the bus to Chestnut St. downtown at 4th Street. We walked by the caleches to the Independence Mall, saw the Liberty Bell. Sara was struck by the connections to the Abolitionist and Suffragette Movements. Then we walked to the Visitor Center, and I bought postcards. Then, it was off to Franklin Court to drop off the postcard to the Post Office. (It was closed today, Columbus Day.) We did see a movie on the life of Ben Franklin. "He was a dude," Sara claims. We saw a replica of a glass armonica and I remembered a diorama of a French ballroom from when I was little. I was absolutely disgusted by the privy pits being SO close to the well. EEuw!
Then, we walked toward the Famous Fourth Street Delicatessen, stopping in at Old St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and at Dr. Physick's office. Old St. Mary's is where many a Catholic worshipped. It was the only RC Church building in the English colonies for quite a while. I had THE Matzo Ball Soup, with a matzo ball the size of a softball (or, for that matter, the size of a newborn's head).
I bought a great handbag on Fourth Street, and a rainscarf at Seventh Street. Sara and I caught the bus for Ross, where Sara bought some clothes. Then, off to Reading Terminal Market, where we shared canele, a bread-pudding-like pastry with a carmelized coating. I got some dried fruit for Dad there, too.
We stopped by the American Institute of Architecture store, and chatted about the LOVE Indiana sculpture with the cashiers. Then, we continued on Arch Street to Broad, then left on Cherry Street. We were early for the Peace and Social Concerns Committee meeting at the Race Street Meetinghouse. Sara kindly invited me to sit in on the meeting. After the meeting ended, Sara and I walked to the El station with Elisabeth and Kate. Sara and I ended up walking back to her home, and we got Trenton tomato pie at Trio's Trattoria. The downtown skyline was marvelous.
Labels: American history, dining, friends, shopping, water
Niagara and Toronto I, August 2009
Mom,Dad, and I travelled to the American side of Niagara Falls (which is a New York State Park and the oldest state park in the United States), visited the visitor center, went to the observation deck (outstanding) and to the Maid of the Mist,
where we saw the American Falls,
other Maids of the Mist, and a view of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. We enjoyed our picnic lunch from the disabled parking spot, where a cool breeze blew and there were multicolored hydrangea in full bloom.
We continued on to Toronto, where Uncle Alex and Auntie Baby live. Colleen, their apo, was visiting and we had our merienda. I took a nap, and Allan, Sonia, and their family had arrived as well as Christie and her family. We all dined together on Pinoy food.
After dinner, we took group photos, and Allan shared his thoughts on what to see. I decided I wanted to see many things that are part of their life in Toronto, and some touristy sites, too.
Labels: automobile, Canada, citizenship, family, flowers, ice cream, international culture, New York, photos, Pilipino culture, reunion, travel, visitor, walking, water
Choir Party: Send-off Christoph
This afternoon I carpooled with Mary Ann to Doug's home for the send-off picnic for Christoph, who will be returning to his homeland at the beginning of August.
We had much fun: Judi grilled the hamburgers and hot dogs, everyone brought potluck dishes to share. Don raised the issue of the next choir tour/trip with a single word: "Spain!" and followed up with a proposed date of next July. I countered that we may want to fundraise for two seasons instead of for one season [to avoid the white-knuckled fundraising experience]. The Christmas CD was not mentioned.
Christoph supplied a return toast after Don toasted him. Christoph said that being in the choir made his experience here better than if he hadn't been in choir.
~~~~~
Mary Ann and I spoke with Nancy after we departed from the choir picnic, and she is holding up well after the disappearance of her brother-in-law from a boat Saturday.
Labels: Choir, dine, farewell, friends, international culture, photos, transportation, travel, water
Progression: What I Can Do Now!
I can shower standing up now (except for my feet).
I can mobilize using only my cane/fold-out chair (which I will use to ambulate about Ornella's art exhibit).
Labels: art, BAD, Choir, exercise, friends, pain, surgery, water
South Side Water Plaza, Yoga
I visited South Side water spray plaza with Susie, Chere, Grampy Bill, Will, and we were later joined by Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon. The warm ~70+ Fahrenheit day was sunny and brought children out in droves. We visited REI afterwards, I went home to rest, and then observed/attended Karina's yoga class in Squirrel Hill. We stopped by a Dollar Store for snacks and containers. We went for barbeque bacon cheddar beef sandwiches with curly fries and drinks afterwards.
Labels: dining, exercise, family-Marissa, shopping, sleep, water, weather
Ice Cream Sundaes on Monday!
William, Charles, and I went for ice cream sundaes and cones this afternoon. I opted for the Chocolate Intemperance ice cream with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and Oreo sprinkles. I am in chocolate orbit and Sugar Heaven currently. The guys decided on mixing their chocolate scoops with other flavors, though. The cups of water were necessary.
~~~
After a rest at home, Karina and I dined at our favorite sushi restaurant in Oakland. We sat and chatted at Schenley Plaza for a bit, then went to Bible study with Fr. Joshua at the Newman Center. We read from James 4:1-6 and discussed.
Labels: Bible, dining, Faith, family, friends, ice cream, water
Sunday in the Park with Beata, Solomon, and Will
Had brunch with William, his family, and his in-laws at the sushi buffet on McKnight Road: William, Marissa, Beata, Solomon, Les and Chere, Grampy Bill, Susan, and Will. We enjoyed a leisurely brunch.
After, we headed to the North Side water spray park. We had a lot of fun; the children even swayed on the swings. All was well until Beata headed to the "water activator" and slipped. Marissa and Solomon are with her now whilst she gets checked out. I dropped William off at home, as he has an event at Schenley Park. We noted a large truck disregarding the clearance of an underpass on the way home.
Labels: excited, family-Marissa, moving, Pittsburgh, traction, travel, walking, water, water exercise
The Road to Impressionism: Barbizon Landscapes from the Walters Art Museum
This morning I ran errands at the Waterfront and in Squirrel Hill.
After lunch/smoothies at Craig Street, Christina P. and I went to the Frick Museum to see The Road to Impressionism: Barbizon Landscapes from the Walters Art Museum exhibit. We were just in time for the 14:00 tour. We passed by the French tables, replete with French natives conversing whilst in costume, to enter the exhibit.
Many of the tableaux in the exhibit were from the Frick and Walters collections. Most were landscapes, or landscapes with figures in it. Having read Hans Jenny's paper on Soil in Landscape Art this past week, I was taken by the erosive soil elements on the hillcuts in certain pieces. Namely two pieces: "Le Puy du Dome" (circa 1866-1868, Jean-Francois Millet) and "Landscape with Wild Buffalo" (circa 1865, Jean-Achille Benouville), of a Roman campagna.
We applied gold leaf to a picture frame. We met Benedicte, her former Spanish teacher, who is now director of Alliance Francaise. Then she dropped me off, and I took a nap.
Helped out with dinner preparations at Mom & Dad's place. Tina, Leila, Dr. Pat, Tessie and Ernie, and Dr. Larry arrived to have dinner of ground beef torta, kare-kare, rice, baked calamari, lo mein noodles, watermelon, (corn on the cob), and homemade pineapple upside-down cake. Dad popped the cork on the champagne. They are now watching Manny Pacquiao via pay-per-view. Tina brought my birthday gift of eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, and Hippy Fizz fragrance. MMmmm.
Labels: art, dining, excited, friends, gift, glass, international culture, museum, Pacquiao, painting, surprise, water
Wellesley Alumnae Event, Fall 2008
After work Nancy C. and I went to Vic's restaurant for dinner. I had the chicken biriyani, Nancy had the vegetable chick pea balls in yogurt sauce. Afterwards, I went to Mom and Dad's to change out of my photosynthesis week work clothes and to pick up my copy of Kim Dozier's book and a camera.
Kim Dozier was back in Pittsburgh to deliver a lecture entitled "Breathing the Fire: Fighting to Report---and Survive---the War in Iraq." The talk was sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Honors College and I received my invitation through the Pittsburgh Wellesley Club. Nancy and I sat a row in front of Michelle L, with whom we chatted before the talk. Kim was introduced by Cindy Skrzycki of the University of Pittsburgh and of Bloomberg News. Kim's talk was more lively and less formal in tone and delivery than her acceptance speech and talk just a year ago at Carlow University. Tonight she read rarely from a reporter's stenographer-type spiral notebook during her talk, delivering it largely from memory. She spoke about how she was fortunate not to have suffered post traumatic stress disorder. Kim claimed to find her interview by Katie Couric to be difficult [from the other side of the microphone], but showed aplomb during the question-and-answer session after her lecture. During the question-and-answer session, Nancy asked her if the book's title had any more meaning for her beyond the war in Iraq.
It was a joy to meet Kim after the lecture, when I chided her for not attending reunion, and Nancy took a couple photos of us before she signed my copy of her book. Nancy and I enjoyed cookies, punch, and decaf afterwards, I brought Kim a drink of punch, and I had a chance to meet with Abby Mc from the University Honors College, another alumna. Nancy and I enjoyed the artwork reproductions in this Italian villa-style campus building.
Nancy and I walked back to our parking spot at Carnegie Mellon University, and enjoyed the walk with the steam rising from the fountain in front of the Frick Fine Arts building, as well as the steam from the steam plant behind the Carnegie Library complex. The frosty/icy bridge caused us to shuffle in small steps, and we enjoyed the cold night air on the way to her car.
Labels: art, career, Choir, dining, Faith, friends, photos, Pittsburgh, research, reunion, stars, TV, walking, water, Wellesley, work
South Side (water) Works; Ice Cream; dinner chez Beatrice
This afternoon, after a nap Marissa, Beatrice, Solomon, and I went to South Side Works. Beatrice played in the water fountain ("she's shivering!" a bystander noted...she doesn't allow us to take her out of the fountain, though). We then went to Rita's for some cream ice and frozen custards. Dinner chez Beatrice followed, consisting of salmon loaf and meat loaf, peg corn, and rice chased by mango lemonade. We read a book, Little Yoga, several times and Beatrice struck poses from each page with each reading of the book.
Marissa and Solomon took me home: He fell asleep while feeding on his bottle. (He held it himself until it was too empty.) What a great afternoon and evening.
Labels: Beatrice, family, ice cream, niece and nephew, Pittsburgh, water
Prince Gallitzin State Park
Today I was the lector for the early Mass, in celebration of Lalang's birthday. Fr. Breier celebrated, with Ed Sullivan as the server, and J.R. as the music ministry.
Today I drove out to Jen's parents' home and we carpooled with them, Jen & Bri, Guy, Katherine, and Jenna to Prince Gallitzin State Park. We had great fun grilling burgers and dogs, eating Joyce's baked pork 'n' beans, swimming in the water at Muskrat Beach with the kids, boating in their yet-unnamed pontoon boat, enjoying the apple-peach cider (especially Katherine!), and dining on Wendy's burgers. Katherine and I sang several versions of a song that she learned at school about your neighbor. All of Jen's siblings and their families were there, except for Kim, who had to work today.
We all had a grand time, and I'm glad and tired here at Mom and Dad's after the adventure today.
Labels: Birthday, Church, family, friends, Lalang, Mass, swim, water
Physical Therapy, Encyclopedia Article Draft 2'
Went to physical therapy today, and my exercises were uneventful. There were a number of rather friendly people in the pool today. I told Keelan of the walking (~200 feet) and standing (~1.5 hours) I did yesterday during the work meeting.
I went to the computer lab afterwards, and input some changes---which I had handwritten earlier today---to the latest (greatly shortened) draft of the article.
Labels: BAD, encyclopedia, excited, exercise, health, water, work, writing
FAAP Picnic 2008, Building Picnic 2008
Yesterday we enjoyed the FAAP Annual Picnic, complete with roasted lechon and rice; grilled hamburgers and hot dogs; and potluck salads, main dishes, and desserts. There was a contest for best potluck items, and All Clad pots were the prizes. We brought green bean casserole and red strawberry orange jello salad with mandarin oranges. (Marissa made berry crisp.)
William, Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon met Jun and Arnie and Carol, all chemistry graduate students who prompted Beatrice with questions (and whom I had earlier tried to recruit for choir). While Solomon enjoyed a bottle with Lola, Beatrice, her mom and dad and I took off to go to the swings! Beatrice chortled joyfully while swinging...
Auntie Mimi: Is this as fun as Kennywood?
Beatrice: Yeah.
William interviewed Beatrice while on the swing.
Soon after eating William and Marissa and family departed, as the kids were very hot and sweaty.
A little later, the sky opened up and the winds blew, causing all to take cover under the one shelter and shrieks to arise from the edges of the shelter with each change in wind direction. Voting was orderly and straightforward. Dad and Tito Larry P. partook of the games, and they donated their winnings. Dad diagnosed a Colles fracture. We departed soon after, while it was still raining lightly. We got $15+ of gasoline (4.0 gallons) on the way home, happy with the price of $3.99
~~~
The building picnic had fewer attendees than last year, probably due to the weather. I sat next to Martha M., Ann L., and spoke with John, a newcomer to the building on the floor above me. Dinner was potato and pretzel chips; grilled chicken, hot dogs, and hamburgers; potato salad, bow tie pasta salad, cole slaw, and fruit salad; and bottled water or sodas. A bevy of desserts (of which I had a pecan pie bar) rounded out the meal. I enjoyed myself, and felt fully stuffed at the end of the meal.
Labels: Beatrice, berries, children, Choir, economy, friends, neighbors, niece and nephew, Philippines, photos, Pilipino culture, Pittsburgh, rain, science, St. Paul Cathedral, transportation, water, weather
Physical Therapy--Water Exercises
Today at physical therapy I was passively stretched, did some exercises on the PT table and standing next to the table, and then did water exercises in the (very warm) pool.
~~~
When taking off my footwear on the PT table, I cried out, "Look! Look!" Keelan and Erica turned around, and I proudly announced, "I can take it off if I externally rotate [the right leg]," as I brandished my anklet sock.
"Oh, I thought something happened," Keelan said.
~~~
The pool was about the temperature of a kiddie pool---mainly for the arthritis classes that are held there during the week. I did five minutes of water walking, of "centered" straight-legged side-stepping, of plies and releves with the toes facing forward, and of front/side/back leg raises, some with the leg bent.
I definitely felt the workout during the side-stepping/weight shift activities, and felt the "pressure" on my unoperated leg when doing exercises that required it to be the weight-bearing leg.
All in all, a good morning of exercise. Now I have a cadre of exercises for land and for the water.
Dad waited in the waiting room this time and we said hi to Melanie, who had worked across the hall from Mom and Dad's condominium.
Labels: BAD, dreams, excited, exercise, health, neighbors, surgery, water, water exercise, work
Swimming!
Went with Marissa this morning for water exercises. We went to the indoor pool at William's work. She looked at my scar ("It's not that wide") and we did water walking/talking for ten minutes and freestyle swimming for a little less than five minutes. She has been swimming every day now, and invited me to join her in her daily ritual. I took her up on the offer.
This was the first of my post-surgery "regular exercise" goals that I have reached.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself---it's so healthy, wholesome, and refreshing!
Labels: BAD, dreams, excited, health, pool, surgery, swim, water, water exercise
Physical Therapy Evaluation---Post Surgery
This morning I'll be going to a physical therapy evaluation, post surgery. My home care physical therapist, Margie, says to say "Hi," to my evaluator. I must ask for information on water exercises, since I will be using the shallow pool on campus starting in the fall.
In the meantime, Marissa has spotted on my blog in the wee hours of this morning that I can now SWIM! She has invited me to join her early in the morning, about this time. Mom, Dad, and I will see the kids, William, and her for lunch today; I'm sure we'll discuss that then.
As related to reaching goals and pursuing dreams, my friend Stacy said she dreamt that she saw me at Mass, sans cane! I LIKE her dream...
~~~
Keelan, my physical therapist, agreed that water exercises are a good idea and asked me to bring my bathing suit to my next appointment. I shared my goal to ceili dance by the end of the summer with him.
After physical therapy, I convinced Dad to stop at the bakery for pretzels: We devoured two on the way home. Mom, Dad, and I met up with William and family for Chinese food for lunch (Marissa and I got smoothies, lychee and mango, respectively). This was followed by an hour with Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon at Mom and Dad's home; followed by a nap.
Marissa and I plan to go to the pool tomorrow early morning for a little workout fun.
Labels: BAD, dance, dining, dreams, exercise, health, Ireland, pool, sports, surgery, swim, water, water exercise
The Toys, the Rules, the Weekly Goal
My incision and drain sites are dry as of yesterday, so I have no covering (bandages) over them. My neighbor is lending me a tub chair for showering, so I will use that soon.
I have all kinds of toys/assistive devices to help me bathe, wash, put on and take off clothing, and pick up items: the Reacher, the Dressing Stick, the Long-Handled Credunza (a.k.a the long-handled shoe horn), the "Sock Horn," and the "Walk the Dog" (a.k.a. the leg lifter). I also have a "sponge on a stick," a potty with a raised seat, and the shower chair borrowed from our neighbor Jane.
There are the three rules I cannot break when I am on the mend:
1. Don't bend the angle (between the torso and the leg) less than 90 degrees. [This is tough!! Especially if you are flexible.]
2. Don't cross the midline with the leg.
3. Don't twist (no "Chubby Checker").
I have been actively pursuing PT as a way towards wellness. My home health PT Margie is pleased with my progress.
My goal for this week is to go to Sunday Mass! As my friend Alroy says, "[My] debut will be at Sunday Mass!"
Labels: accessibility, BAD, Church, excited, exercise, health, list, Mass, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, thankfulness, water
Lady in Waiting I
While I patiently await my surgery date, I struggle with the tail end of a cold, making lists of things to mention to the doctor and anesthetist before surgery, list things to pack to the hospital, and wait for the weather to warm up (it has nicely sprinkled throughout the week) so that Beatrice and I can put in the garden at her home.
It was fun dining with Beatrice and her family last night. Before dinner, Beatrice and I read library books before her daddy showed up, and she joined Solomon on the Gymini mat from Lola Helen Faye for some playtime. Solomon has filled out nicely (all that nursing and sleeping has paid off, buddy!), and Beatrice is a hearty, neat eater at dinner time. She feeds herself with a spoon; she proudly announces when she is finished, and gently gives a small push to her dinner plate. Same with her bottle. She knows all the colors in the box of blocks I gave her when Solomon was born---and more colors! What fun times we have had!
Labels: BAD, Beatrice, cold, family, games, garden, library, niece and nephew, read, soils, surgery, water, weather
Holy Week 2008--Palm Sunday Vigil Mass 2008
The Palm Sunday Vigil Mass was celebrated this evening by Bishop David Zubic, with other diocesan priests celebrating, and the seminarians serving. Linda was our cantor tonight, with ~15 choristers, Ken at the organ, and Don directing. Betty, Alice, Donna, and I opted out of "doin' the step drill" up to the choir loft before and after the entrance hymn by Proulx.
The homily was interesting and significant. The bishop described how, when in Green Bay, he was invited to Reading Week at a 3rd grade public school classroom. He read a passage from The Little Prince when the Prince meets the fox. The English translation is, "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye." (I recall this passage from when William and Marissa tied the knot. My friend Stacy and I also recalled other parts of this novelette, which I had read first in Mahan's class.) The kids seemed disinterested in the passage, but asked deep questions about God of him, including, "Will you pray for me?" Which prompted a response of "If you write your [prayer requests] on a sheet of paper, I will collect them and pray for you." All the children opted for this exercise. And he shared three of those requests with us.
He also mentioned the short, three-word sentence that Jesus' best friend, John, wrote, "God is love."
I saw my friend Joan after Mass, who encouraged me to meet the bishop. She showed our appreciation for his being in the St. Patrick's parade today, and I expressed my appreciation of his passage selection. After retrieving some palms, I exited the Cathedral.
Labels: Choir, Church, diocese of Pittsburgh, Faith, international culture, love, Pittsburgh, read, St. Paul Cathedral, water, Zubik
Frighteningly Frigid
I awoke at about 3:30 AM to sinks that ran only freezing water--from BOTH taps. At 8AM, the story was the same. Gloria L. and I spoke after Mass about how frighteningly frigid the water is. I'm just glad that I don't have to make the trek to campus to get a hot shower--since I'm near Mom and Dad's, there's a warm shower there.
Labels: cold, seasons, water, weather
