One Fine Sunday

A beautiful piano music from our alarm-clock-radio woke me up this Sunday morning at about seven. I heard that Bob Edwards Weekend radio program (distributed by Public Radio International (PRI) is being aired on NPR, via the local public radio station in Hampton Roads, WHRV (in Norfolk) on 89.5 FM, at this time. The host, Mr. Edwards, was interviewing 29-year old Lang Lang, a talented international pianist from China. In between the interview was Lang Lang's music piano performance, most likely from his new CD. I was so mesmerized that I rose up from bed and found myself scribbling something. Here's what I wrote on a flash card:

Lang Lang

his fingers played

music came out

beautifully

a genius

so gifted

talented

so modern

flamboyant

fast and flashy

contemporary

yet classical

he is

an artist in control

in a concert hall

in every performance

his emotions flowing

outpouring

with joy

life

so alive

and vibrant

so energetic

and powerful.

-chris a. quilpa

08Jan2012

As usual, I did my morning routine. Then, I took a quick shower, got ready and dressed up for Sunday Mass.

At St. Paul's, in downtown Portsmouth (where we've been a member-parishioners for years), Father David officiated the 9:30 AM mass. In his homily, he mentioned about that 2010 American western movie, True Grit. Thankfully, my wife and I had a chance to see it, a year ago? It starred Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and young teen Hailee Steinfeld who played Mattie Ross in the movie. (FYI: She's half-Filipino. Her mom is a Filipino or Filipino-American.)

After the church service, my wife, sis-in-law, and I decided to have lunch at Red Lobster Restaurant by Chesapeake Square in Chesapeake, VA. With a cozy atmosphere, an excellent food and service, I personally can say that I did enjoy our Sunday lunch there. The fact is, it has been a while since we dined there. Though it's a bit pricey the menus are, I think it's worth dining there again, someday.

I admit, I had to bring my left-over home because I just couldn't finish what I ordered. You see, we had that  seaside pizza for appetizer followed by a medium size-plate veggie salad, served with soft, fluffy and buttery biscuits, and then the main course---Chef's Seafood Pasta with Shrimp and Lobster something like that. I didn't order any dessert anymore. I was full, you know. For beverage, I just had a glass of water with a slice of lemon. I thank our friends Mike and Myrna for the two Red Lobster gift cards they gave us for Christmas 2011. Thank you Mike, Myrna and family!

Hours after lunch, my wife and I just thought of going to see a movie. But first, we dropped off my sis-in-law home to get her car (because she has to go somewhere). On our way to see a movie, my wife and I dropped by at a Dollar Tree store to buy a copy of Sunday's The Virginian-:Pilot. That's right, that copy of Sunday paper is a dollar in that store! Then, we found our way driving along Western Branch Blvd., passed by our very first house (a three bedroom, two full baths, and which has been a rental property for us since 2001) and then on to the new cinema complex in Chesapeake. (Cinemark NextGen just recently opened before Christmas. As expected, it was absolutely a first-run movie theater. I found it to be clean and comfy. Very nice, indeed! I'd like to go back there again, someday. Although we have one cinema in North Suffolk, I think I prefer to see new movies at the new Cinemark.

What did my wife and I watch? Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, starring Tom Cruise, also one of the films' producers. Why did we decide to watch that movie? Well, I read something about the movie; that it was partly shot on location in Dubai where the tallest building in the world so far is located, the Burj Khalifa. You betcha, I was kinda curious to know something about this tallest man-made structure. (I had to visit wikipedia to know more about the building.) About the movie, you ask me? It's fun, and entertaining, and educational. It's thought-provoking, too (especially about that nuclear war thing between/among nations, you know). Well, you see, I've got the chance to travel and see Budapest and Moscow, Russia, and India, too! I never found it boring. (But, mind you, somebody was taking a nap inside the cinema! Shh, she always does that each time we go watch a movie! Ha, ha, ha!) I found the chasing of the cars (while there's the sandstorm sweeping through the area) amazing and cool. Protagonist Ethan Hunt, played by Cruise, made the Mission Impossible well, possible, of course! Only in the movies, huh!

It was almost 6 PM when we arrived home. To summarize my day, I would say it was a fine Sunday. I enjoyed it and had fun. Thanks to God!
   
At home, my wife and I had dinner. I had vegetable salad, in addition to the left-over food from Red Lobster's. We had tea, too, with a slice each of that cake from Germany.

I did read some sections of Sunday's papers after eating. I focused on one of the main stories dealing with past murder-suicide cases in Hampton Roads. I also read an article in Parade magazine, about Daniel Radcliffe of the Harry Potter movies. Likewise, I tried uploading pictures from my wife's and my camera to my laptop, recalling what I picked up from my son's and my daughter's "Computer 101 tutorial." Yes, I did it! But, folks, I must tell you I still have a lot more to learn, like everybody. My "tutors" just have to be patient with me, you know. Learning is doing, I know. And more. Such as self-seeking and exploring, and researching, with initiative and enthusiasm, of course. And learning is fun and enjoyable. Never a dull moment to know new things, ideas, etc. Thanks to all people around me who help me learn more about just anything I am interested to know.

Well, this is all for now. Until next time around, folks. (Pardon me but I'm soooo... tired and sleepy already!) Good night!-chris a. quilpa, 08Jan2012