Courtney's random word, callipygian, had significant meaning on Friday night. My friends, Judy and Theresa Jacobi as well as Bryan's girlfriend, Mac, and I attended an American Ballet production of Swan Lake at the Chicago Civic Opera House (same locale as Lyric Opera). The performance was the classical one and it was splendid - expecially the danseurs who seemed to hang in the air for an impossibly long time......reminded me of Michael Jordan at his best. The orchestra was outstanding and the sets were breathtakingly beautiful. I'm not sure how to use the word, callipygian (noun, adjective?), but those danseurs, as opposed to the ballarinas, sure had callipygian butts! We agreed, as a group, to find another cultural event to enjoy soon.
Last night, I talked to Mother on the phone. She said, "Do you know who you remind me of?" I knew immediately. Kathleen! I "have no time!"
The Master Chief at the Reserve Center encouraged me to have a retirement ceremony because it is important to have closure. She assured me that I don't have to do anything after I told her that I "have no time" to deal with planning such an event. Right! Well, I am up to my neck with preparations. So far, I have committments from five of six Sailors to serve as Side Boys, the vocalist is onboard (permanent member of Lyric Opera's chorus), I think that the Navy Band is reserved and I have the venue as well as a wonderful guest speaker and a dynamic Master of Ceremonies....still need a Bo'sun's Mate and a Bell Ringer. The Color Guard is reserved and there was going to be a drill exhibition but there is not enough room for the drill team members to safely thrown their rifles back and forth. Getting all of this done is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I just hope that there are more persons in the audience than are participating in the ceremony!
School is winding down. I envision an all-weekender to complete both a paper and a PowerPoint presentation. After that, I just have to finish my practicum in addition to the practicum report and do well on the final exam. There are only four more weekly classes.
Bryan continues............... Spring is about to burst forth!
Life is good.
Bryan, Cynthia and I had such a nice time over this past weekend in addition to enjoying Chicago Lyric Opera's offering of Lucia da Lammamore - spelling may be bad here. It was the fourth opera that Cynthia and I went to this season. We plan to continue the cultural activity. Bryan and I, along with Theresa Jacobi and my friend, Judy, have tickets for Swan Lake at the end of the month that is being performed by the American Ballet Company.
My last trimester is busy with presentation-preparation, and my practicum. Original practicum plans fell through and I had to scuffle to find a project to take its place. I am working in my department, Anesthesia and Critical Care, and that is really convenient. Goal is to effect policy enabling the billing of preoperative consultations, based on medical necessity, that will be in compliance with myriad and oft-times murky Medicare constraints and regulations. This will all be over the first week of April. I will turn in my practicum notebook then. In addition to the practicum, there are only six more class sessions to go! The "SALE" will then be over...............reference is to the 75% tuition reimbursement that is the reason I am participating in the program, in the first place.
June is going to be a big month for me. I graduate with my BHA and retire from the Naval Reserve on the same weekend - perhaps on the same day. If I have to choose between the two, I will probably have the retirement ceremony -complete with Navy Band......at least, that is what I was told.....that there will be a band. My best hope is that family and friends will be able to share the important weekend with me. Initially, I shuddered at the idea of a retirement ceremony - what if nobody came? This is advance notice to those I love who read this entry - Please reserve the weekend of June 5/6. Invitations wil be sent out but I don't know when. Share this special time with me and, at the same time, enjoy some of the wonders, excitements, and restaurants of Chicago! This is really a great city.
The weather here in the Big Windy has been rapturous - warm and balmy. Are we still actually in the bowels of winter? I know this can't last but what a wonderful respite from the frigid winds.
About six weeks ago, I created an informative entry that promptly disappeared when I tried to access the spelling option. I was so disappointed and have resolved to accept any and all spelling errors. No more spell-check!