When we arrived in Schenectady my dad was not looking very well at all. While we were touring schools he went to see his physician who promptly summoned an ambulance and sent him to the hospital. When we visited, he was still in this examination room after almost nine hours as the staff continued to monitor his condition. The entire family visited with him briefly before we had to leave for our return drive to Boston. My brother Mark flew in from Minnesota while sister Mayela coordinated from a distance. The latest reports have my dad showing great improvement and the situation as summed up by my brother – He is not going to croak. For me it was the first time I ever considered that as a possible outcome and we are all very relieved that we will get to enjoy his laughter for a while longer.
From my parents house it is a 45 minute drive to Saratoga Springs where Skidmore College is located. Just a tad larger than Union College with some 2400 students Skidmore seems highly focused on the arts. Kyle did not see as good a fit here and has placed it on his maybe list.
Union College is my alma mater and where my father taught psychology for most of his career. It was our first serious college tour with Kyle. Nicolai also tagged along for the experience. Union has changed appreciably since I attended and I found myself discovering a whole new school in many ways. Both boys came away with a favorable impression and given the proximity to my parents and to Boston it will likely remain on Kyle’s list of possible options.
Maya makes Belgian waffles for Valentine’s Day breakfast. We add food coloring to the mix in celebration of the holiday although it did little to change the appearance of the finished product. I had a nice two hour outdoor soccer scrimmage (first of the season) before the whole family drove to Schenectady to visit with my parents while doing a couple of college visits with Kyle.
Kyle spent the better portion of the afternoon creating a special Valentine’s Day present for Hannah. This bouquet features chocolate dipped strawberries with a white chocolate decoration. Meanwhile, my sweetheart arranged for me to receive an hour long full body massage for my special present. I am so relaxed I have done little today other than enjoy the Winter Olympics.
Last night, Maya performed with the Concord All Town Band with her friend Sarinaugh. This was her first time playing saxophone in front of an audience, and she was fearless. Unfortunately, Maya was seated deep among the 50-piece band, and I had to settle for this shot of her taken as the band was taking the stage.
The Calabria men may have to step to the side for Maya, who is starting to rack up some serious hardware. Her indoor soccer team placed first in their division. Despite a long and interesting day in the office, I managed 2 goals, both toe pokes, and 2 assists to help my team to a solid win during my evening soccer match.
This evening Kyle completed his photography assignment for the week. He enlisted both his brother and sister as interchangeable models and gaffers. He set up the lighting for this photo and I simply shot over his shoulder. He is using film so it will be some time before I get to see his results.
Kyle is taking photography this term and we went out this evening to do a little night photography together. Kyle spotted this nicely illuminated tree and thought it would make a nice subject. I could not agree more.
Kyle and Hannah sit down to a game of cards after building a fire and preparing tea and snacks. Maya enjoyed a Brazilian dance and yoga class this morning while Nicolai spent the better part of the day at a wrestling tournament. He had a single match which he won by pinning his opponent in the second period.
After Nicolai finished wrestling last weekend, he borrowed my camera and took photographs of his teammates. This one was selected by the photo editor of the Concord Journal for the front page of the sports section. Click on the photo for a closer view and notice Nicolai’s first photo credit for a published work.
Lately, Maya spends a little time each morning rollerblading around the kitchen island. Today, she enjoyed skating around “Dusty,” our robotic vacuum cleaner, while he was busy doing his job.
Today I met with a former wrestler from my home town of Schenectady, NY. He wrestled for Niskayuna High School the arch rival of Mont Pleasant where I attended school. The encounter game me reason to search my archives in search of the name of another Niskayuna grad that I wrestled with in college. Points will be deducted if you do not pick me out on the first guess. Absent any other photos for the day this clipping will have to suffice for today’s entry.
This website is dedicated to sharing, with family and friends, the day-to-day adventures of the Calabria family.
