Movie Monday: Big and Small Screen

Tomorrow is the Big Day, as my family and take off to my Dissertation Defense!

Meanwhile, we actually caught three films on DVD during THANKSgiving weekend:

• Aloha
• Ricki and the Flash
• The Age of Adeline

Initially, I only was interested in Aloha, mainly for the Air Force (not to mention Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone who I especially liked as Gwen Stacy from The Amazing Spider-Man, and Rachel McAdams from The Notebook that we watched on our first Movie Night with my parents as empty nesters a decade ago) ~ but I ended up sticking around with my folks for the rest to make the most out of our time together (and ended up getting hair inspiration from the other two movies ~ especially from Blake Lively as Adeline, a.k.a. Amanda and Jenny).

After I present my sports study, these are the *NEW* football flicks that I must catch that are relevant to my research:

• My All American ~ recently released last month’s Friday, the 13th

• Concussion ~ coming this CHRISTmas!

Sports Sunday Fun Day: Maligayang Bati, Papa Jun!

♪Happy ☼Birthday☼♫ to my Dad today!

Go, *Dallas Cowboys* this NFL ☼Sunday!

Throwback: Papa Jun & I en route to our *Dallas Cowboys* game against the Philly Eagles during the ‘BOYS‘ first season at its new home field (then-Cowboys Stadium/now-AT&T Stadium)

Just like any fortunate child who has grown up with a father or paternal figure, I feel extremely †blessed† and grateful to still have mine as a constant part of my life.

Throwback: Papa Jun & I have a good view of *America’s Team* and *America’s Sweethearts from 6 rows behind the end zone!

Papa Jun is one of the most well-rounded people who I know and admire:

• He was a hardworking country boy in his side of the family’s province in the Philippines 
• He served over two decades in the *United States Air Force* both Stateside and overseas
• He continued his almost two-decade aviation career after retiring from the military
• He stays active as he plays tennis and roots on our football and basketball teams
• He taught me many fundamentals, from math to car maintenance to politics

Even as an adult, I still keep learning from my Dad, who always enlightens me everyday, through his example and his wisdom as a prayerful soon-to-be first-time grandfather with whom I attended Church today. Cheers, Pops!

Maligayang Bati, Papa Jun, at ♥Mahal♥ Kita!

✌ R.I.P., Flip Saunders of the NBA ✌

Sunday Fun Day: Mini Holiday Vacay

¡Biénvenidos de … El Paso!

I found this fortune while cleaning my classroom after our fall finals!

This past weekend, I took a rare break off to travel to the westernmost tip of Texas ~ visiting my Air Force brat bestie for her hubby’s and another fellow AF brat/veteran’s graduation from The University of Texas at El Paso with their degrees in Criminal Justice!

While there, I toured Fort Bliss, the largest Army post in the U.S.

Plus, I had more photo opps at the WWII Veterans Memorial!

Then I returned home just in time for the second ½ of my Dallas Cowboys game at their NFC East Rivals, the Philly Eagles!

C is for (clockwise from right) … CHRISTmas * Cats * Cowboys ~ CHEER for ALL of the Above!

¡Saludades a los Estudiantes! ¡Felicidades a los Graduates!

Beauty Tuesday: Top 13 Halloween

 

 

Happy Early Halloween!!!

Costume Countdown …

#10

#9

#8

#7

#6

#5

#4

 #3

 #2

#1

Even my Double A-Team look so neat, as they represent Sesame Street!

Veterans’ Salute, Typhoon Blues + More Bits & Pieces for You…

Happy Veterans’ Day!

In the spirit of THANKSgiving, here are my most recent Days of Gratitude…

Day 7: I’m THANKful for good company, including Auntie Mary & Uncle Ken, who Auntie Tina & I visited today (Thursday, 11/7)

Day 8: I’m THANKful for the animals in my life, especially my Double A-Team ~ Asia & Annie (whose 4-year anniversary is on the 15th) + my sister Joanne’s Yorkie Coco + my Ate Roxy’s K9s Jade & Dax + the Gunns’ dogs Sweet Pea, Minx & Blackie

Day 9: I’m THANKful for good leadership – which I’m studying for my Ph.D. – including the inspiration behind my research, Coach K, who I wrote about in my Dispo College Hoops Scoops debut (below)

Day 10: I’m THANKful for  mi cuñada, Janet, who was my best friend when I lived in the Valley, and whose children are mis sobrinitos, with her son, Justin, being the closest to a son I’ve ever had

Day 11:  I’m THANKful for our military on this Veterans Day, which I elaborate as follows…

The military in my life who I honor on Veterans Day, Military Appreciation Day and everyday in between include:

* my great-uncle Terry, who retired from the United States Navy

My fave Sailor Man

* my dad, who retired from the United States Air Force over two decades ago

Dispo Airmen

Jeryl, USAF

* my cousin, Jeryl, who just graduated from USAF Basic Training school

Military Salute

Dad, Cuz & Bro

* my brother-in-law, Ryan, who served in the United States Marine Corps
* “lil’ bro” Eric, Ryan’s brother, who is serving in the USAF
* my best friend, Melody, from the United States Army who may train to become an Officer now that she has her Bachelor’s degree

I also wrote a tribute to salute another veteran who I admire, whose leadership inspired my own research for my dissertation about coaches and student-athletes: Duke Blue Devils head basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, who served in the Army. Bearing this in mind, here are my latest Dispo Hoop Scoops

Dispo College Hoops Scoops
* Debut: Coach K, Basketball & Life Leader

Dispo NBA Hoop Scoops
* Mavs to Strike Lightning at Thunder
* Kevin Durant Has D Best Role Model
* Vince Carter Mans Up to Ejection
* DeJuan Blair Should Start as Center
* JJ Barea Reunion at Minnesota

Also, here are my Pretty Fit posts:
Pretty Fit Elaine D
* Thursday Tips
* Friday Thigh Day
* Saturday Stress Relief

Let us pray for those who were affected by Typhoon Haiyan that just hit my native country, the Philippines. I reached out to my relatives who live there to find out whether they’re safe and sound, so thank GOD for the ones who responded to me with the affirmative!

This throwback pic depicts my homesickness for the Philippines and my former home en el Valle, the Rio Grande Valley, that is. My former student/fellow Filipino snapped this shot as I also was camera-happy at our Filipiniana gala, where I covered the story for Fil-Am Press.

¡Feliz Cumplé a mi Cuñada en el Valle hoy!

11:11 ~ make a wish!!!