The first female President of Ireland gave a brilliant speech at the 2009 Mt. Holyoke Graduation
Watch Mt. Holyoke Graduation President of Ireland in Family | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Mt Holyoke Graduation--AlmaMater
How many people can sing the Mt Holyoke Alma Mater by heart? These girls did, and probably the same number of Duke Students can sing their own Alma Mater by heart. It is all relative.
Watch Mt Holyoke Graduation--AlmaMater in Family | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
graduation and new england
A fully packed weekend-Fenway Park, Northfield, Shelbourne Falls, and Graduation
This past weekend forced me to take steroids, and regular ibuprofen to alleviate my horrendous back pain as payoff for lots of car travel, and sitting. Not withstanding all of that, it was an eventful weekend full of pride and beauty.
The trip to Boston, was meant as nostalgia and it was full. As I flew to Logan, I pondered Durgin Park and wow, having a lunch there was fabulous. We had a nice hostess. What was that all about? Where was Dottie? Probably dead sadly. The whole area around is fancy, very fancy and I am sure that none of these new people select the same Durgin Special, just the same we ordered 30 some years ago, however not at those heavenly old prices. These were considerably more expensive, but the food was great and there was lots of it. John reminds me that it was in fact 36-38 years ago.
From Durgin, walk walk walk. We saw Boston University, and it was great! Lots of campus,lots of new buildings and lots of flowers, unlike what the campus was like when I was getting my MSW. We walked over the BU Bridge, and it is still and forever under construction. We walked to Harvard Square, to the Coop, bought water and walked. We walked to Fenway, and here the fun began and the tragedy set in.
John and his tickets Yea!
Sadly, the Red Sox lost, and our love, Big Poppy had another bad night. In addition the Center Field folks were having a Mets/Sox war and they threw lots of beer and got into lots of fights. It was rather distracting to watching the game. Oh well, there we go. Another tragic Red Sox night.
We drove to S. Hadley and to the Mount Holyoke beginnings of the graduation process of Isaiah’s. It was a full weekend, and we took in the immense beauty of the college, the relationships, and even took a few side trips. What a great time. The graduation speaker for Mt. Holyoke was the President of Ireland. She is an amazing woman who spoke and who has been reelected enough times to be unopposed in the last election. The fantastic Irish brogue, the words about women. Great. The Princess from Saudi Arabia who had started a college for women and given her life to it, spoke about the need for women to never accept second…to rise to the challenges. It was awe inspiring. The other honorary doctorate recipient was a scientist who had done work that I cannot pronounce, but it apparently is so good that she has received hundreds of awards, and is a Mt. Holyoke graduate. And seeing Isaiah walk across the stage after the four up and down years was terrific. Of course the sad parts of the day, as usual, are the saying goodbye to the best friends. May Alicia do extremely well, and Godspeed.
The interesting President of Ireland
The Princess of Saudi Arabia, an outstanding woman
Isaiah receiving his diploma--note the smile on the Pres. of Ireland's face (the beard?)
Daddy is special
Oh to say goodbye to Alecia "roomie"
Chrissy spent the whole graduation rushing water around to those who declined to accept the bottle of cool water offered to each of us as we walked in. Even photographers keeled over. She enjoyed it, but agreed, water was crucial in the bright clear sun. This girl is bound for medical school!
It was great to meet Isaiah’s boyfriend and learn about his talents, his humility and groundedness.
Ariel and Isaiah are in the gender studies "meet and greet". Isaiah's favorite teacher was there.
This past weekend forced me to take steroids, and regular ibuprofen to alleviate my horrendous back pain as payoff for lots of car travel, and sitting. Not withstanding all of that, it was an eventful weekend full of pride and beauty.
The trip to Boston, was meant as nostalgia and it was full. As I flew to Logan, I pondered Durgin Park and wow, having a lunch there was fabulous. We had a nice hostess. What was that all about? Where was Dottie? Probably dead sadly. The whole area around is fancy, very fancy and I am sure that none of these new people select the same Durgin Special, just the same we ordered 30 some years ago, however not at those heavenly old prices. These were considerably more expensive, but the food was great and there was lots of it. John reminds me that it was in fact 36-38 years ago.
From Durgin, walk walk walk. We saw Boston University, and it was great! Lots of campus,lots of new buildings and lots of flowers, unlike what the campus was like when I was getting my MSW. We walked over the BU Bridge, and it is still and forever under construction. We walked to Harvard Square, to the Coop, bought water and walked. We walked to Fenway, and here the fun began and the tragedy set in.
John and his tickets Yea!
Sadly, the Red Sox lost, and our love, Big Poppy had another bad night. In addition the Center Field folks were having a Mets/Sox war and they threw lots of beer and got into lots of fights. It was rather distracting to watching the game. Oh well, there we go. Another tragic Red Sox night.
We drove to S. Hadley and to the Mount Holyoke beginnings of the graduation process of Isaiah’s. It was a full weekend, and we took in the immense beauty of the college, the relationships, and even took a few side trips. What a great time. The graduation speaker for Mt. Holyoke was the President of Ireland. She is an amazing woman who spoke and who has been reelected enough times to be unopposed in the last election. The fantastic Irish brogue, the words about women. Great. The Princess from Saudi Arabia who had started a college for women and given her life to it, spoke about the need for women to never accept second…to rise to the challenges. It was awe inspiring. The other honorary doctorate recipient was a scientist who had done work that I cannot pronounce, but it apparently is so good that she has received hundreds of awards, and is a Mt. Holyoke graduate. And seeing Isaiah walk across the stage after the four up and down years was terrific. Of course the sad parts of the day, as usual, are the saying goodbye to the best friends. May Alicia do extremely well, and Godspeed.
The interesting President of Ireland
The Princess of Saudi Arabia, an outstanding woman
Isaiah receiving his diploma--note the smile on the Pres. of Ireland's face (the beard?)
Daddy is specialOh to say goodbye to Alecia "roomie"
Chrissy spent the whole graduation rushing water around to those who declined to accept the bottle of cool water offered to each of us as we walked in. Even photographers keeled over. She enjoyed it, but agreed, water was crucial in the bright clear sun. This girl is bound for medical school!
It was great to meet Isaiah’s boyfriend and learn about his talents, his humility and groundedness.
Ariel and Isaiah are in the gender studies "meet and greet". Isaiah's favorite teacher was there.
Impressive at this graduation, all the faculty seemed to be present. I believe that is the measure of dedication to a school and it's students. Certainly as Allison transitioned to Isaiah ever the hard way, they were there ever step of the way, encouraging and supportive.
In the meantime, John and I trekked to Northfield, went to the graveyard of mother and dad, and had some funny comments about mother’s decision that none of the rest of us could be buried at the Northfield graveyard. We also took a quick trip to the Bridge of Flowers, and it was stupendous. Revived my soul. And I got a contract out of John to return to the area and spend a few days tooling around this beautiful area. As we returned to Northampton to have dinner, Julia, Isaiah, Ariel,John and I ate in peace and said goodbye. New England…New England. What a very lovely place. Congratulations Isaiah---Starting as Allison, ending as Isaiah. Reflections, intellect, small school, on to bigger school, more intellect, more reflection.!
In the meantime, John and I trekked to Northfield, went to the graveyard of mother and dad, and had some funny comments about mother’s decision that none of the rest of us could be buried at the Northfield graveyard. We also took a quick trip to the Bridge of Flowers, and it was stupendous. Revived my soul. And I got a contract out of John to return to the area and spend a few days tooling around this beautiful area. As we returned to Northampton to have dinner, Julia, Isaiah, Ariel,John and I ate in peace and said goodbye. New England…New England. What a very lovely place. Congratulations Isaiah---Starting as Allison, ending as Isaiah. Reflections, intellect, small school, on to bigger school, more intellect, more reflection.!
What better way to reflect than with the flowers of the Bridge of Flowers?
Jack in the Pulpit--(Phallic?)
Bearded Iris and Solomen Seal. Why do these Solomen Seal look like bushes and mine look like twigs? And half eaten by deer? Where did I go wrong. I'm going to drag my carcass to the cow pies this weekend.
Purple Lupine Oh how the hummingbirds would love this-again off to the farmers market. Some of those plants will be mine!
Bearded Fire breathing Iris-they must have these on line.
Fluffy Peonies-I need some
John looking very cool on the Bridge of Flowers. Handsome or what? The greatest gift of all and I don't even have to order him, or rush to the farmers market to find him. As you can see, the weekend was packed full and worth all the back pain! Is this me on Steroids? I was there-I promise. But the person behind the camera is rarely seen. My beautiful toes, flowery red and blue dress, African shawl. Ah well, at least I knew I was wearing them.
Jack in the Pulpit--(Phallic?)
Bearded Iris and Solomen Seal. Why do these Solomen Seal look like bushes and mine look like twigs? And half eaten by deer? Where did I go wrong. I'm going to drag my carcass to the cow pies this weekend.
Purple Lupine Oh how the hummingbirds would love this-again off to the farmers market. Some of those plants will be mine!
Bearded Fire breathing Iris-they must have these on line.
Fluffy Peonies-I need some
John looking very cool on the Bridge of Flowers. Handsome or what? The greatest gift of all and I don't even have to order him, or rush to the farmers market to find him. As you can see, the weekend was packed full and worth all the back pain! Is this me on Steroids? I was there-I promise. But the person behind the camera is rarely seen. My beautiful toes, flowery red and blue dress, African shawl. Ah well, at least I knew I was wearing them.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Springtime. Springtime is here and it is a time of surprises, delights and expected irritations. Spring makes you miss Moshi just a little less. Spring is a time of flowers blooming, trees filling out, birds mating and singing, hummingbirds being lured to your feeders, and weeding. Weeding, Weeding, Weeding, a daily chore that continues unabated until you have breathed your last, especially if you have been living in Tanzania for nearly 3 years, and jungles have enclosed your house. Spring is the inaugural time of poison ivy, and you wait for it, not impatiently for you know it will arrive, first one bout, then another but it must not keep you from the weeds!
You look with envy at your neighbors who seem to have such a beautiful lawn, and then notice the trucks pulling up in the morning, chain saws going, leaf blowers dusting the neighborhood with pollen, huge lawn mowers eating all those shoots of grass and even some of the English Ivy.
It is also a time when you have to save your 13 year old Golden Retriever as she grabs a bone from who knows where and severs an artery in her mouth, and when you have to acknowledge that your kitty is indeed superior to all living things. It is a time of fabulous music, and coming at a time when you love to hear it.
For us, the house was almost mystical in its azaleas, Lily of the Valley, Camellias, and dogwoods.
The hummingbirds came back!
And there were graduations. The Duke graduation awarded degrees to many shining stars, and it was a wonderful thing. Murray Perahia was awarded an honorary doctorate for fine arts. I remember my roommate telling me our senior year at Duke, that he was the up and coming great pianist of all time. I thought he was pretty good, but she is a pianist, so I know that she speaks the truth. There he was 38 years later, his son graduating from Duke, receiving an honorary degree. Wow. Then there was Oprah Winfrey. She also received an honorary doctorate, as did several Nobel Prize winners. Oprah also gave the graduation address. I thought it was good. She talked about all the obligatory points that must be covered in a graduation speech. For success you must: Offer acts of kindness to strangers, be nice to children, choose to avoid misery, think of programs to spread love, accept even the worst of people and see the chance for them, be honest, learn to stand in your own shoes and help someone to, and of course, be humble. She shared these points, and with each of them, she shared a story that brought her points home to each of us in the intimate 45,000 person football stadium.
Oprah holds her arms out as she becomes Dr. Oprah Winfrey!
Humility
But the shining star of them all was my “African daughter” Meghan. Meghan is smart, kind, funny, and beautiful from her smile to her heart. She now can pursue her love of medicine with her Moshi met love by her side (no not the man in the picture). And no one was more proud than her mentor who is here standing by her side. Hongera Sana Meghan.
And finally, in Spring there is always Easter. Easter brings out interesting things in people, and lately it has really made house decorating enthusiasts delighted.
You look with envy at your neighbors who seem to have such a beautiful lawn, and then notice the trucks pulling up in the morning, chain saws going, leaf blowers dusting the neighborhood with pollen, huge lawn mowers eating all those shoots of grass and even some of the English Ivy.
It is also a time when you have to save your 13 year old Golden Retriever as she grabs a bone from who knows where and severs an artery in her mouth, and when you have to acknowledge that your kitty is indeed superior to all living things. It is a time of fabulous music, and coming at a time when you love to hear it.
For us, the house was almost mystical in its azaleas, Lily of the Valley, Camellias, and dogwoods.
The hummingbirds came back!
And there were graduations. The Duke graduation awarded degrees to many shining stars, and it was a wonderful thing. Murray Perahia was awarded an honorary doctorate for fine arts. I remember my roommate telling me our senior year at Duke, that he was the up and coming great pianist of all time. I thought he was pretty good, but she is a pianist, so I know that she speaks the truth. There he was 38 years later, his son graduating from Duke, receiving an honorary degree. Wow. Then there was Oprah Winfrey. She also received an honorary doctorate, as did several Nobel Prize winners. Oprah also gave the graduation address. I thought it was good. She talked about all the obligatory points that must be covered in a graduation speech. For success you must: Offer acts of kindness to strangers, be nice to children, choose to avoid misery, think of programs to spread love, accept even the worst of people and see the chance for them, be honest, learn to stand in your own shoes and help someone to, and of course, be humble. She shared these points, and with each of them, she shared a story that brought her points home to each of us in the intimate 45,000 person football stadium.
Oprah holds her arms out as she becomes Dr. Oprah Winfrey! HumilityBut the shining star of them all was my “African daughter” Meghan. Meghan is smart, kind, funny, and beautiful from her smile to her heart. She now can pursue her love of medicine with her Moshi met love by her side (no not the man in the picture). And no one was more proud than her mentor who is here standing by her side. Hongera Sana Meghan.
And finally, in Spring there is always Easter. Easter brings out interesting things in people, and lately it has really made house decorating enthusiasts delighted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)