Massage Mixer Monday: Post-Snow De-tox

After my cabin fever from our snow days and before I escaped the snow to South Texas, Lisa gave me another much-needed massage!

And since we both had stayed safely at our own homes drinking, she added lemon to detoxify to her Virgin Mojito!

Manic Monday: Snow-body Asks TAG

Happy *Presidents‘ Day* and Snow Day!

Neighbor cat ~ another snowshoe ~ wants to come in!

After a super busier-than-usual week reporting, babysitting, game-going and photographing off site, on top of my regular †Church†, studying, teaching, tutoring and on-site photography responsibilities, I am grateful for this weather to keep me at home. That way, I could stay productive while also taking a break from the hustle-and-bustle of being on-the-go driving all over the place

Once upon a time, Queen Asia & Princess Annie royally ruled the house!

not to mention that I get some QT with my cuties!

The Double A’s like to socialize and play!

Now that ♣spring‘s♣ on the way, I’m serving up this Q&A ~ so TAG, you’re IT!

1:Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? I keep both a crack open ~ so my girls can go in & out as they please!
2:Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel? admittedly, yes ~ some are flight-friendly
3:Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? in ~ so that’s 1 less thing to do when I make my bed
4:Have you ever stolen a street sign before? only stolen shots ~ the paparazzi photographer that I am
5:Do you like to use post-it notes? a little too much ~ they come in handy
6:Do you cut out coupons but then never use them? sometimes ~ I usually have the intention to, though
7:Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees? BIG bear hug ~ ♥XOXO♥
8:Do you have freckles? ☼sunspots☼ ~ mainly moles from tanning
9:Do you always smile for pictures? for poses ~ yet I prefer to stay natural
10:What is your biggest pet peeve? inconsiderate people
11:Do you ever count your steps when you walk? that’s what a pedometer is for
12:Have you ever peed in the woods? while camping or during bonfires ~ for the most part, I’m a lady
13:What about pooped in the woods? TMI ~ I draw the line!
14:Do you ever dance even if there’s no music playing? I have ~ while I’m ♪jamming♫ out in my mind!
15:Do you chew your pens and pencils? no way ~ I don’t want to jack up my teeth!
16:How many people have you slept with this week? I fly solo ~ unless you count my 2 fur babies
17:What size is your bed? day bed (twin length x queen width) ~ just enough space for yours truly
18:What is your Song of the week? ♥Heartbeat♥ ♪Song♫ ~ Kelly Clarkson
19:Is it okay for guys to wear pink? of course ~ man up!
20:Do you still watch cartoons? sure thing ~ for comic relief
21:Whats your least favorite movie? no sé
22:Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some? nunya
23:What do you drink with dinner? water always, light beer occasionally ~ 150-cal max liquids/day
24:What do you dip a chicken nugget in? BBQ sauce &/or honey mustard
25:What is your favorite food? Italian & dessert
26:What movies could you watch over and over and still love? the ♥lighthearted♥ ones that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago
27:Last person you kissed/kissed you? family friends at party ~ where I was hired to photo last weekend
28:Were you ever a boy/girl scout? yes ~ I take pride in selling the most Girl Scout cookies out my troop
29:Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? only if it’s for a worthy cause ~ like advocating animal rights or environmental awareness
30:When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? just a couple of weeks ago ~ when I wrote to Bishop Mike
31:Can you change the oil on a car? most definitely ~ my dad taught me how when I was learning how to drive legally
32:Ever gotten a speeding ticket? yep ~ multiple times ~ so I watch my roll now
33:Ever ran out of gas? a few times ~ but I’d rather always fill up before I go below a ½ tank
34:Favorite kind of sandwich? one w/marinara sauce ~ especially the Subway Meatball
35:Best thing to eat for breakfast? banana pancakes ~ like the Jack Johnson ♫jam♪
36:What is your usual bedtime? I should be more consistent on when I hit the sack ~ lately between midnight to 2AM
37:Are you lazy? most certainly NOT ~ slack is whack
38:When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? most notable costume mentions: Statue of Liberty, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, nun, cheerleader
39:What is your Chinese astrological sign? I was born in the year of the Rooster ~ cockadoodle-doo!
40:How many languages can you speak? 3 ~ English fluently, español un poquito, Tagalog
41:Do you have any magazine subscriptions? unintentionally ~ I don’t mind my Sports Illustrated, & I pass along People to my mom
42:Which are better legos or lincoln logs? Legos, since I haven’t played Lincoln Logs ~ yet I wouldn’t mind building a real deal log cabin!
43:Are you stubborn? so I’ve been told ~ by my mom during childhood
44:Who is better…Leno or Letterman? how about Conan? or G-Lo?
45:Ever watch soap operas? I have my share ~ including GH since I was in the womb
46:Are you afraid of heights? nope ~ hope to go ☼skydiving☼ eventually
47:Do you sing in the car? always ~ that’s what gets me through the drive
48:Do you sing in the shower? always ~ that’s what gets me through the suds
49:Do you dance in the car? yes ~ please check out my Road Beast Mode
50:Ever used a gun? as my Bay Area buddy would say ~ I’m a Texas girl ~ so I loved the fire range in Cali & shooting at the ranch in the Valley
51:Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? wow ~ I believe when I had professional shots for my college grad, unless you count when my student a professional photographer caught me on camera while I was on assignment ~ it’s all about selfies now
52:Do you think musicals are cheesy? not really ~ I’m a Neil Patrick Harris fan
53:Is Christmas stressful? can be ~ but JESUS’ birth is well. worth. it.
54:Ever eat a pierogi? I believe so ~ been there done that, working up my appetite
55:Favorite type of fruit pie? million $dollar$ pie ~ pineapple & mandarin oranges
56:Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? author ~ which came true (haven’t published a book yet but have written hundreds of newspaper & online articles by profession)
57:Do you believe in ghosts? not in a creepy sense to haunt me ~ more of a source of comforting spirits to soothe the soul
58:Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? countless times
59:Take a vitamin daily? yes ~ it’s essential
60:Wear slippers? for the house ~ open- & close-toed for every season
61:Wear a bath robe? all the time ~ not just at home, but also when I’m at the spa for massages
62:What do you wear to bed? sometimes my workout clothes ~ so I can exercise as soon as I get up
63:First concert? I think Bone Thugs ‘n Harmony & many more others since then
64:Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? preferably Target ~ for the limited editions
65:Nike or Adidas? ADIDAS ~ All Day I Dream About Saints
66:Cheetos Or Fritos? I’m a Chester Cheetah kinda Cougar ~ yet I also dig on Chili Frito Pie Dogs
67:Peanuts or Sunflower seeds? ☼sunflower☼ seeds all the way ~ preferably sans the shells & just the kernels
68:Ever hear of the group Tres Bien? nah ~ yet now I’m curious
69:Ever take dance lessons? no ~ just dance practices that already were choreographed
70:Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing? †GOD-willing†, something respectable & noble ~ nothing illegal or immoral (none of that lame ♪Usher♫ song)
71:Can you curl your tongue? yelp
72:Ever won a spelling bee? yep
73:Have you ever cried because you were so happy? I believe at my sis’ wedding ~ some believe that it’s because she tied the knot sooner, though
74:Own any record albums? I actually took advantage of my vinyl discount at Hastings awhile back ~ Jack Johnson & Breakfast at Tiffany’s soundtrack
75:Own a record player? not my own ~ my parents do
76:Regularly burn incense? I used to ~ mainly white California sage for serenity
77:Ever been in love? affirmative ~ always in ♥LOVE♥ with †GOD†
78:Who would you like to see in concert? male artists ~ John Legend (even before he became more mainstream), Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull; female artists ~ Taylor Swift, Beyonce
79:What was the last concert you saw? Journey with my fam ~ mainly for Pinoy success story Arnel Pineda
80:Hot tea or cold tea? ☼sun☼ tea
81:Tea or coffee? coffee during the ☼day☼ ~ then tea at *night*
82:Sugar or snickerdoodles? Snickerdoodles ~ but honestly, I’d much rather have cookies w/chocolate
83:Can you swim well? enough to get me by ~ if only I could train for a triathlon, as long as I improve my swimming and bicycling skills
84:Can you hold your breath without holding your nose? somewhat ~ not for too long
85:Are you patient? to an extent
86:DJ or band, at a wedding? live band ~ play some cover songs & own original tracks + my own playlist b/t sets
87:Ever won a contest? countless many ~ drawings for prizes (bike & TV back in junior high) + newspaper writing in both h.s. & college, among others
88:Ever have plastic surgery? not crazy about cosmetic procedures ~ use †GOD†’s gifts
89:Which are better black or green olives? neither for me ~ only EVOO
90:Can you knit or crochet? neither ~ I admire from afar
91:Best room for a fireplace? main living room & master bedroom + man cave
92:Do you want to get married? in the †Church† in †GOD’s† time
93:If married, how long have you been married? I plead the 5th
94:Who was your HS crush? my h.s. ♥sweetheart♥/college bf ~ yeah, I was that girl who got everything & everyone I wanted
95:Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way? I used to ~ then I grew up (not how I got No. 94)
96:Do you have kids? if you count my 2 girls from No. 1
97:Do you want kids? human babies ~ now I’m Ninang Elaine & Tía Elaine
98:Whats your favorite color? lime green
99:Do you miss anyone right now? my forever bestie ♫Melody♪
100:What was something that happened to you in middle school? I started hanging with my BFF from No. 99 as we both were fine ~ although we’ve known each other since grade school

Manic Monday: Snow Day

CHEERS ~ Here’s to This Time of Year When the HOLYdays Are Near …

Let’s hear it for Sweater Weather!

Therefore, break out those Ugly Tacky Sweaters.

On this Snow Day,

Make sure that you have time to play!

And of course, afterwards, be as cozy as ♪♫cats sleepin’ warm as toast♪♫.

11:11 ~ make a wish with the Snow Fairy!

So-Called Snow Day

Yay, off Thursday & Friday! Cold fronts are spreading all over Stateside. While many parts up north are below freezing & @ negative temps, we’re still considering the 20s & 30s as a reason to close operations, including cancel classes, here in the Valley…
~ let it snow * let it snow * let it snow ~
Since I’m stranded @ home clear of furniture that’s already found way into my new humble abode, I should use this time to pack. Keeping in mind that I wasn’t gonna have a weekday off after MLK Day ’til Memorial Day, I’m grateful for these 2 off days. Today, I watched my daytime TV (i.e., talk shows like Ellen & Rachael Ray + GH & HIMYM re-runs), followed by primetime (i.e., GA & NBA), as well as cooked warm comfort food being creative w/the minimal ingredients that I still have left here. Asia & Annie the cats are content while we’re cooped up in the crib, but they already have been regardless.
~ Baby, it’s cold outside… * So nice & warm ~

Throwback Thursday-Feline Friday: Decade of ASIA

Happy BiG 1-0, Grad Cat ASIA!!! 🎈🎁😻😹🎆🎇

#DecadeOfAsia #DeepBlueNeedYouEyes #WhiskerGirl #BabyBlue #GradCat #BigSis #AteAsia #ManangAsia #BlueEyes #BeautifulBlueEyes #CalendarCat #WaterCat #LiloAndStitch #Halloween #Howloween #SnowWhiteCat #SnowDay #MeowyCHRISTmas #StPattys #StPatricksDay #LuckyCat #BlessedCat #EasterBunnyCat #TreeHugger #GardenDigger #HBD #Happy10thBirthday #Asia #324andManyMore #DrDISPObustAFlow 😻😺😸😹😽🙀🐱🐯🦁🐈🐆🐅🎈🎁🎆🎇🎁🎉📅📆🎃🎅🏽🎄🌳🌴☘🐇🌎🌍🌏💝

Happy Belated St. Patty’s Day a week ago! ☘

#HappyStPattys & sneak #peep to #Easter ♥love♥ & #luck♣ from #DoubleATeam #ShamRockStar #ShamrockersGatherHere #KeepCalmAndShamrockOn #GoodLuckCharm #GradCat #DecadeOfAsia (1wk from today) #CareBears #GoodLuckBear #TMNT #TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles #DeepBlueNeedYouEyes #GreenEyes #GoGreen #GOP #GoodLuckElephant #LuckyBamboo #LuckOfTheIrish #KissMeImIrish #shamrock #4leafClover #lucky #LuckyCat #BirthdayCat #ThrowbackCat #ThrowbackThursday #TBT ☘🌈🏆🐱🐯🦁🐰🐻🐼🐨🐸🐢🐣🐤🐥🐇🐘🐈🐆🐅🎄🌳🌿🎈🎂🎁💝💋💐🇺🇸

 Remember JESUS CHRIS†, †Crucified† & Risen, on this Holy Thursday & always! 🙏🏽

 

#HappyEaster to my #Peeps this #JubileeYearOfMercy #Easter2016 love from #DoubleATeam #RememberTheCross #JesusChristCrucified #MaryMostSorrowful #HolyMedals #flowers #crucifix #OurLadyOfGuadalupe #PopeFrancis #cross #mercy #PeterCottontail #EasterBunny #NewLife #DecadeOfAsia TODAY #BirthdayCat #EasterBunnyCats #HolyCowCats #ThrowbackCat #ThrowbackThursday #TBT #HolyThursday #Easter #YearOfMercy #ElaineDispoPhotography: original photos including medals on the petals #DrDISPObustAFlow 🐰🐱🐯🦁🐤🐣🐥🐇🕊🐈🐆🐅💐🌺🌻🌹🌷🌼💝💒

Festive Foto Foodie Friday ~ New Year’s Edition: G is for …

🎁Gift-Giving Soup🍲

From #TitaElaine’s Kitchen (YES~my newborn niece #GRACEdUsWithHerPresence #CHRISTmasDay!): #FeastOfTheHolyFamily #GiftGivingSoup #SoupItUp #SnowDay #TomatoBisque #BowTiePasta #RibbonNoodles #SpinachCheeseTortellini #LeanRedAndGreen #farfalle #cellentani #tortellini #tomato #basil #garlic #oregano #StuffedPasta #spinach #parmesan #ricotta #romano #CHRISTmasMiracle #CHRISTmasBlessing #FestiveFoodie #GoMAVS #GoCOWBOYS #NFLSunday 🌠🎆🎇🎅🏽🎄🎁💝👶🏻👧🏻❄️☃⛄️🏀🏈🏉🏆🍽🍴🍝🍅

🏈Game Grub🏉

#MilitaryBowlOfChiliMac #GoNAVY #NavyBeans #MacNCheese #SnowDay #GameDay #CollegeFootball #MilitaryBowl #PITTvsNAVY #GameGrub #FestiveFoodie #CountdownToMNF #MondayNightFootball #MNF #ComfortFood #ChiliMac #chili #macaroni #mac #TitaElaine’s Kitchen’s where it’s @ #MilitaryBowlOfNAVYchiliMac #football #touchdown #score #CanIHaveSomeMore #DontchaKnowFoShow #StayingHomeInTheSnow #LetItSnow #snow #DISPObustAFlow ⛴⚓️🍲🏈🏉🏆🏅👊🏽👌🏽🙌🏽

😇Glorious Goulash🌽

#WrappingUp2015SouthwesternStyle #BowTiePasta #tomato #BlackBeans #corn #GreenBellPepper #RedBellPepper #southwestern #farfalle #goulash #stew #chili #SoupItUp #soup #TitaElaine’s Kitchen #FestiveFoodie #SnowDay #NewYears #NewYearsEve #HappyNewYear #NYE #HappyNew2016 #savory #hearty #healthy 💝🎀🍝🍅🌽🌶🍲❄️☃⛄️

🍮Gooey Goodness🐿

Festive Foodies from CHRISTmases Past

• 2014 Sweet Treats: S’mores Hot Cocoa Pie & Salted Caramel Pecan Parfait 
• 2013 High Cs: Snow Cat Cookies & Crock Pot Chili + Cranberry Walnut Pie

🎓Grad Greetings & Good News

👶🏻Grace ~ my newborn niece👧🏻

☝🏽️GOD has blessed us with this best 🎇CHRISTmas🎄 🎅🏽gift💝 who shares her 🎊birthday🎉 with JESUS✌🏽

Happy New 🎆2016🎇 ~ the Jubilee Year of Mercy!

Working Woman’s Wednesday: Doc Decompression

Leave it to my Bestie Evie to always know what’s best for me!

• First, she strongly suggested that I take one day out of the month for myself
• Then, she and Mama Maggie highly recommended that I take a whole week off!

#ImDreamingOfAWhiteCHRISTmas #LetItSnowLetItSnowLetItSnow #BabyItsColdOutside #iLoveTheWinterWeather #IveGotMyLoveToKeepMeWarm #WhenAllYouCatsAreSleepinWarmAsToast #WhiteCHRISTmas #LetItSnow #WinterWeather #CoolYule #CatsAreSleepinWarmAsToast #DoubleATeam #PURRfectMoment2PAWS #CATchOfTheDay #SnowDay #SnowAngels #WokeUpToThis #MerryTexasCHRISTmasYouAll #MerryTexasCHRISTmasYall #MerryTEXmas #WestTexas #WTX #winter #blizzard #BlanketOfWhite #snow #comfy #cozy #CuddleBuddies #SnuggleBunnies ❄️☃⛄️🎅🏽🎄🎁💝😍😻🏡

When they mentioned my need for “me” time at my graduation luncheon, I doubted that I could pull it off. However, I indeed observed how refreshed some of my fellow doc candidates-turned graduates seemed following their dissertation defenses ~ a break to decompress helped them relieve stress!

#DrDISPObustAFlow

To the tune of the wayback/throwback two-decade-old track by Montell Jordan:

♪This Is How I Did It♫

• 3½ ☼days☼ last week between Graduation and CHRISTmas
• +3½ ☼days☼ this week between CHRISTmas and mid-week
• = 7  ☼days☼ total (not consecutive ~ but I’ve made it count)

My favorite activities during this Dr. D time:

• concocting recipes
• QT with my Cuties

Beauty Tuesday: Double-D Recovery to be Double-D Ready

Double D is for …

Dissertation Defense * Dr. Dispo * BiG Day: December 8 ~ Save the Date!

After I passed my presentation with full faculty on Veterans’ Day, I followed my Bestie Evie‘s advice:

Take a Me QT Day.

While I still worked on revising my paper, I also set aside Spa Time this past weekend!

Facial Mask

Based on Fleur De Force‘s The Glam Guide, I used these ingredients for *acne  and **dark spots:

• Banana*
• Honey*
• Lemon***

Manicure

Then I treated myself to an at-home mani with the following gift sets:

• Mary Kay Satin Hands from María Elena
• four-step nail block from my R.E. student
• buffer and shine sticks from my Tita Susan

and polished my finger nails with my own lacquers:

• starting with Sally Hansen 18K Gold Hardener
• painting red for the season and plaid accents
• finishing off with Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

O•P•I Got the Blues for Red & Sally Hansen 18K Gold Hardener + Revlon Orchid & Silver Screen + Sally Hansen i ♥ Nail Art Striper in black

My top tip to achieving a lasting nail paint job:

Run freshly coated nails in cold water and dodge hot water!

• Cold water seals in moisture, while hot water repels and drys it out
• If I hand wash dishes, I wear special gloves
• I also wear gloves during hands-on activity

Massage

My good †Christian† friend and fellow prayer warrior, Lisa, came through again, introducing me

• previously to the rolling pin technique
• plus post-massage detox mocktails
• and this time to Biblical oils!

Thank GOD for these special gifts of blessings and wonderful company!

Spirit Sunday: All Saints

Happy All Saints Day!

Bishop Mike has called us “saints in the making” who will join the saints someday to whom we pray.

Currently, I’m in a Saint Benedict Novena, initiated by my Bestie Evie (who claims him as her patron after her own healing).

Since he is the Patron Saint for Students, I’ve sought his intercession as I enter my round(s) of full faculty dissertation defense …

During my committee defense period, I went through these Novenas:

• Santo Niño (Child Jesus)
• Sacred ♥Heart♥ of Jesus
• Holy Spirit

Who are your favorite saints? Mine include:

• St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint for Animals
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, an education advocate
• Saints Helen and Rose, my chosen Confirma†ion patrons

Others who I admire are, but aren’t limited to:

• St. Joseph the Worker 
• St. Gerard, Protector of Expectant Mothers
• St. Pope John Paul II

Saints are special, and I like this analogy that Evie introduced to me:

They are our defense attorneys who advocate for us as we enter the stand at the gates of Heaven for GOD to judge our fate.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.”

~  Hebrews 12:1 [pointed out by Maryknoll]

R.I.P., Tita Leticia ✌

Foodie Friday: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

What’s better than carving and painting jack-o-lanterns?

Eating pumpkin … At least for yours truly!

I’ve already gone PSL-out and then some:

• Coffee

Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cheesecake dessert cookies & Pumpkin Spice Milano + Blue Diamond Pumpkin Spice Almonds from CVS | Quest Bar Pumpkin Pie energy bar (which we used to give away from Pretty Fit) from Market Street

• Cookies
• Energy bars

• I’m nuts for pumpkins!

Olive Garden‘s Caramel Hazelnut Macchiato

• Pumpkin Cheesecake at Olive Garden ~ this past time with my Bestie Evie ~ has been my tradition forever

Dynamic Dessert Duo: Olive Garden‘s Pumpkin Cheesecake

In fact, I used to buy a full pie for the fam to celebrate Halloween/Thanksgiving/my sis‘ birthday since college

Dynamic Dessert Duo: Olive Garden‘s Caramel Hazelnut Macchiato & Pumpkin Cheesecake

(the Fazoli’s Ghirardelli tops a close 2nd)

Pumpkin Spice Latte M&M’s ~ exclusively at Target

• Melt-in-your-mouth-not-in-your-hand candy ~ rather than just eye candy

• Even Yogurt!

I’m flipping over this YOLO–yo!

TGIF *Friday Night* Addendum

Now I’m somewhat relieved that this weekend’s Halloween party has been canceled/postponed due to t-storms (Hurricane Patricia’s just further down south) ~ so in addition to preparing for my next round, I also can have some down time …

Bring on the cozy comforts of hot cocoa & mac ‘n’ cheese, please!