I brought Jennifer down to Galveston for a quiet New Years. We had a snack-appetizer-1st dinner at the newly reopened Sky Bar. It is located on Postoffice Street in downtown where it flooded during the hurricane. Slowly places are getting ready to open again. Sky Bar was one of the firsts. We got our favorite roll there, the Dragonfly Roll. We each also got a piece of eel nagiri sushi which is the best of the places we have eaten in Houston and Galveston.
Then back to my place where I made spaghetti and had the Italian wine Lambrusco for dinner. For dessert I made brownies. We then watched the ball drop, toasted to the New Year with champagne and had a nice new years kiss.
Happy New Year!
Today is my leaving day. I was joined by Mom, DD, Nana, Bonnie, AD and JK for lunch at Souplantation. It was fun. Then DD took me to the LA Airport. The flight was uneventful, which is the way I like it. I did have a great conversation with a guy who worked on the animation of the characters in the game Rock Band 2. Then went to Jennifer's to say hi and stay the night instead of driving all the way back to Galveston at midnight. That is it. The end of my Christmas Vacation back home. I enjoyed it. Thanks everyone.
DD, JK, AD, Mom and I went to see the Point Fermin Lighthouse. My parents have been taking my brother and I to this lighthouse and the surrounding park since I was little. During that time it was not open to the public. It was restored and opened in November 2003. By then I was living in San Francisco and ever since when I came home for Christmas or the Summer and I went to see it, it was closed. Finally I got to see the inside of the lighthouse. We went on the 2p tour. We got to see all the rooms and go up to the top. What a view. I bought a Point Fermin Lighthouse pin for a dollar to remember this day.
We then had dinner at Claim Jumper. We then went to Downtown Disney to walk around. Then to Hof's Hut for dessert. What a great day.
DD, AD, JK, Mom and I went to Nana's house for the day to visit. I showed my hurricane pictures to Bonnie and Nana. It was nice to hang out with them. Then DD, AD, JK, Mom and I went to get sushi at Fusion Sushi. Mom got the cucumber and avocado rolls, AD got teriyaki chicken and his 1st sushi, tuna roll. JK, DD and I shared a combination of special rolls like the Hawaiian roll, an asparagus roll and a special Philadelphia roll. It was fun. Then walked around Boarders. Then to DD's to hang out before bed.
AD, JK, DD and I went to Marcine (my Dad's sister) and her husband Mike's house for the Christmas dinner party. Now I mean a party. Mike's brothers, their wives and kids, and lately the kids boyfriends-girlfriends family. Dinner is always buffet style. We then did the white elephant present game. That was fun. I actually got something nice this time. I got a 3 CD set of Celtic Christmas songs. It was a fun evening. I grew up with my cousins (Marcine's daughters) and it was really nice to visit them.
Happy Lighted and Decorated Tree Day!!!!!!
Christmas began with being woken up by hearing JK and then DD working out on DD's stationary bike. Then for breakfast I had English Muffins. Then Mom came over followed by Nana and Bonnie. We snacked on veggies with dip and crackers with a cheese ball. I played the DVD of my choir concert.
Then dinner was at about 5p. Carol (JK's Mom) came a little later because of work.
Nana made Gołabki (Cabbage Roll-Ups) which is pronounced "goh-wab-kee." This Christmas there were 2 different kinds, one with meat and the other with buckwheat. I always like to eat the meat one. We also had turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans and rolls. For desert was pumpkin pie and apple pie.
During December Mom picks names out of a hat pretending to be one of the family. For example, she says that she is Adam, she picks a name and the name she picks Adam had to get a that person a present. This year I had DD. I hand made a calander with pictures I had taken when DD and I took trips. He really liked it. AD had me. He got me a a DVD of the movie Airplane and bought handcrafed chop sticks. They look really cool.
We then sang Christmas carols with Mom playing the guitar. It was really fun.
As always, a great Christmas with the family.
Wesołych Świąt (Merry Christmas)!
Today DD, AD, JK, Mom and I went to eat Mexican dinner at Acapulco. We then went to Naples to walk around and look at the decorated houses. It was fun looking at all the lights and decorations. One house had 2 very tall lighted candy canes with a disco ball between them with disco music played and a bubble machine. It was pretty cool.
Got up and made DD and I an omelet. DD said it was good. Then Mom came over and hung out. DD had to go to the airport to pick upi AD and JK. I showed Mom pictures and player her some of the ideas I have for my orchestra piece. AD and JK (big surprise) came in late. Then to Hof's Hut for dinner.
For lunch, Jennifer and I went to Chuy's which usually has a crowded parking lot. Well since it is lucky day, we found a spot the 1st time we drove though the parking lot.
Then to the airport. Now it is a precarious time to travel with all the delayed flights this time of year. Since I am coming from a place that does not snow to a place that does not snow, I thought I would not be effected. Well I was. It was supposed to leave at 5:18p. It got delayed to 8:05p because our plane coming from Austin had mechanical problems. So they had to change planes hence the delay. While I was waiting, I was talking to the 2 pilots that was going to fly our plane to LA. It was fun talking to them. They told me stories of previous flights. The notice a famous actor that was also waiting to get on our plane. I had notice him earlier but just thought he looked like the actor. They saw someone talk a picture with him and figured it as him. I later her someone ask him if it was him and he said ya. Elijah Wood was on our plane. Pretty cool.
We got on the plane and more delay for 20 minutes. There was an argument with a couple of passengers before we got on the place. One tried to cut in line and the other said do not talk to my wife like that. I was in the plane when it happened but we had to wait until it was sorted out. Stupid, self centered people. Everyone in the US is having problem with travel. Be a grown up and deal with it instead of making it crappy for everyone else.
We finally left the gate at 9:04p and were waiting on the runway to take off. We were 20th in line because the airport was only using 2 runways because of the winds. So they were not using the other 2 runways. Let us just add more unrelated delays. We finally took off at 9:42p. OK let us compare. I was suppose to leave at 5:18p and ended up leaving at 9:42p.
I flew continental. It was the 2nd time I ever flew this airline and it is pretty cool. This is what I got just for a "snack." A small cookie size cheese pizza, salad with ranch dressing on the side and a stick of Twix. That is just a snack. Their meals like lunch and dinner are better. Last time I flew with them dinner was lasagna. Not bad.
So I got to LA past midnight instead of 7:30p. I am tired. Sleep time.
Yesterday I gave Jennifer her Christmas present which was an expansion pack of a game she like to play. Today we went to Boarders so Jennifer could get my Christmas present which was a book I wanted. On our way back to her place she wanted to go to Half Price Books. At this time of year, Rice Village it very crowded so I said that if we find a parking space when we drive by the we will go. As we drive by Half Price Books I found a parking space right in front of the store. Pretty lucky. It was also pretty lucky since I got a CD for Adam of music he was looking for, I got 2 DVD movies for $5 I wanted and Jennifer found 2 books she was wanting.
We went home and Jennifer made spaghetti for me. She made the sauce from scratch. It was very good.
Lucky Day!
Today we had a birthday party for my dean. There was pizza, cake, cookies, veggies and cupcakes. Many faculty from the academics came to eat and celebrate. Happy B-Day Dayton.
The title of this year's Winter Concert with the Galveston College Choir was "From Fall to Winter."
It was a great concert with a variety of pieces and soloists.
The concert began with voice students of my part timer Larry Patton. I like having a variety of performances so I asked Larry Patton who teaches voice at the college if he has students who would like to perform. He got 4 women to each sing a solo. Destiny, a recent Ball High graduate and a member of my choir, sang "Sweet Little Jesus Boy. Sarah sang "Mary, Did You Know?" Donna, also a member of my choir, sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." My students has commented on how nice and smooth her voice was and how comfortable she sang. Pat, a member of my choir as well as the Houston Symphony Chorus, sang "The Christmas Song" with a comfortable and very musical performance one would expect from a professional.
Next was a piano solo from your own accompanist Ron Wyatt.
I spoke to the audience this: Just because someone is a great pianist does not make them a great accompanist. Being an accompanist is a skill and Ron Wyatt has that skill. But since he is always accompanying the choir, he does not really have the “center stage.” So this evening he will.
D' Aquin was known for his extreme virtuosity and improvisatory skills. Though he composed very little, his noel variations represent a highpoint in French organ composition in the 18th century. Here to play it on the piano is Ron Wyatt.
Ron is an amazing organist and pianist and he played that piece very well.
Next was the Galveston College Choir.
* Alma Redemptoris Mater - Giovanni Palestrina
(Giovanni Palestrina lived between 1525 and 1594 during the Renaissance Period. He was immensely famous in his day.
He had the ability to compose counterpoint with such clarity that the text could still be easily heard
through the many lines of polyphony.)
* Miserere Mei - Antonio Lotti
(Antonio Lotti lived between 1667 and 1740 during the Baroque Period.
The text is from psalm 51.)
* The Winds of Autumn - David Lantz III
(We continue with a piece about the winds of autumn.
We will also be not just be accompanied by the piano but will also be accompanied by a flute.)
* Autumn Leaves - Joseph Kosma
(Joseph Kosma, born 1905 to 1969, was a Hungarian-French composer. His work in the film industry encompassed
the scores to over 100 pictures. Autumn Leaves has achieved lasting popularity both in its original language,
in French, and in English translation.)
* Christmas Goes Classical - arr. David Maddux
(The next piece takes popular pieces from classical music adds … holiday text to it.
So be prepared to hear something have heard before. … Enjoy.)
Then an audience sing along with Christmas carols.
* Y'susum Midbar - D.Zahavi
Y’susum Midbar is a piece in Hebrew.
The translation is:
The Arid desert shall be glad.
The wilderness shall rejoice
and blossom like a rose.
For waters shall burst forth in the desert,
streams in the wilderness.
* Peaceful was the Night - Eugene Butler
* 'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Ken Darby
(We end with musical setting of a famous poem by the American poet Clement Clarke Moore
There were over 90 people at the concert. It was a great concert. I have been told that this is the best the choir has sounded.
Today my school had its annual Christmas banquet. We usually have it at a restaurant or the country club. This year it was planned to have it at the country club but since we had the hurricane and the country club got flooded it was decided to have it at school in the gym. They also made it a potluck. There were so many variety of foods. It was like an awesome buffet because some of it was homemade. It was quite good. Then there was the door prizes. I actually won something. It is a bunny hug as Jennifer calls them. It is a sweater with a hood on it. The words Galveston College is on it and it looks good. And the color is blue to match my blue car and my blue Mercury. It is nice to get free food and free stuff.
Around 10:30 this evening, it started to snow. I walked outside to have some of the snow fall on me. It was light snow and when it hit the ground it melted, but it actually snowed. I was giggling the whole time I was out there being cold and having it fall on me. Here are some pictures of what it looked like.
