Beauty Tuesday: Tacky Sweaters Still in Season

Happy Three Kings tomorrow! / ¡Feliz Tres Reyes mañana!

Since CHRISTmas still is in session, I still

• watch HOLYday movies
• keep the halls decked
• turn on the festive lights
• sport those “ugly sweaters“

Showing HOLYday and school spirit! CHEERS =D

How do you spread the cheer this New Year?

CATch of the New Year: Sweet Annie lights up the room!

Thirsty Thursday: Year of Mercy

Happy New Year’s Eve! 🎆

As the full Year of Mercy draws near, Pope Francis has called us to seek ways to render more kindness to others ~ which is pleasing to the LORD. ☝🏽️

I’ve been praying my daily Rosary and 3 o’clock Divine Mercy with this Pope Francis Rosary from Bishop Mike who blessed me with it on the ☼morning☼ of my dissertation defense and started reading this Rediscover book by Matthew Kelly from my Dad

During Advent, my school, Our Lady of the Lake, kicked off this venture by deeming the Season of Mercy. 🎄

GOD bless you this Merciful Year! Cheers! 🎇

Festive Foodie Friday: CHRISTmas Smiles, Family-Style

Merry CHRISTmas!

@KraftJello #FestiveFoodie #TurtleTDpie #turtle #TurkeyDay #touchdown #7layerPie #GingerSnapCrust #field #pumpkin #pecan #chocolate #hazelnut #caramel #walnut #THANKSgiving #feast #kickoff #Advent #AlmondJoyToTheWorldPeaceOfPie #AlmondJoy #peace #joy #PeaceOnEarth #WorldPeace #almond #coconut #MerryCHRISTmas #CandyCane #Oreo #PeppermintPattyCake 🐢🍛🏈🏉🎂🍰🍮🍯🌰🐿🎄😍🌎🌍🌏✌🏽️🍫🍩🍪🍭🎁💝🎀

As I reached my ultimate goal for this role of Dr. Dispo and approach my next one ~ Tita Elaine ~ I’ve been reminiscing all Advent season-long about those who are important to me, especially my parents ~ who are counting down ’til grandparenthood …

 

my dad, Papa Jun, who from childhood to now has been involved in my projects

• taught me how to compute basic math before I learned it in grade school
• helped me with my Election Day political party coloring map in 6th grade
• caught and froze insects for my bug collection assignment in 7th grade
• took me to my first speech tournaments in 7th and 8th grade
• coached me on the sidelines for my tennis matches in 8th grade
• told me that he’d support me 100% when I applied for my doctorate
• shopped with me for my presentation materials for my public defense

my mom, Mami Aya, who influenced me way more than I realized

• taught me how to read at the tender age of two ~ which helped me articulate
• wore sweet-smelling perfume that inspired my own fondness for fragrances
• worked out to exercise videos ~ which spurred me on to publish about them
• pointed out to me that my conduct affects my own relationships

my sister, Joanne, who has sent good vibes as she prepares to give birth to her first child (boy or girl?)

my mentor, Bishop Mike, who has shared the same home cities as my most recent schools

• Diocese of San Angelo, where he gave me the Holy Spirit blessing before my Master’s comp exams
• Rio Grande Valley, where he was born and raised, plus where I had my first college teaching gig
• Oblate Missions in San Antonio, where he gave me the Pope Francis blessing before my public defense

my bestie, Evie, who while praying and rooting me on all the way, went all out for my dissertation

• was the only one, aside from my school people, who sat through me practicing my presentation
• was, along with Mama Maggie, the first “Early Bird” to arrive to my public dissertation defense
• sat back and center at both my defense and my graduation commencement (ideal for photos)

This handful of special people were my starting five for Team Dr. D, out of a league of supporters throughout my Ph.D. GOD was the commissioner who made sure that I kept going while staying true to Him and myself …

Who needs CHRISTmas presents when I have their presence?

Thirsty Thursday: Advent Affirmations

Merry CHRISTmas Eve!

This Advent, I’ve been blessed with books gifted by my nearest and dearest:

• From Bishop Mike before my Dissertation Defense: Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul.
• From Bestie Evie & Mama Maggie after my Dissertation Defense: A Little GOD Time: Devotional Journal (2014), BroadStreet Publishing.
• From my PhD alma mater, Our Lady of the Lake after my Grad Ring Blessing: Advent 2015: Daily Reflections, Practices & Prayers: A Season of Mercy (2015), David M. Knight.
• From Bestie Evie at our CHRISTmas Gift Exchange Brunch: Pope Francis: In His Own Words (2013), Julie Schwietert Collazo & Lisa Rogak.

Each of these readings have offered enlightening passages for me to lead the ☼day.

May GOD bless us everyone! ✌

Throwback Thirsty Thursday: Call to the Poor

My first order of business as Dr. Dispo:

Give to the poor.

This is GOD‘s calling, not just to me, but also from our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and my spiritual mentor, Bishop Mike, through Him, to the people.

How will you help?

For the past few CHRISTmases, to follow in the example of the blessed birthday celebrant, JESUS, my family and I have contributed to those in need instead of each other. I’ve offered gifts to my Angel Tree children and am donating more to the Salvation Army today after my Holy Hour.

And if we really are poor ~ in health, spirit, or otherwise ~ let us seek the LORD for strength to overcome.

Prayers of …

• ♥Adoration♥ for strength in faith
• Contrition for weaknesses
• THANKSgiving for everything
• Supplication for GOD’s will

Throwback Thursday: This JUST-IN … My fave ✌CHRISTmas✌ memory was when my lil’ nephew ~ him decked out in *Dallas Cowboys* Santa hat & yours truly in *Dallas Mavericks* ~ helped me decorate the natural tree that I picked up & actually kept up ’til past ♣St. Patty’s♣ (while also decorating it for more ☼cheer☼ through ☼New Year’s, ♥Valentine’s, ♠Mardi Gras, ♣St. P’s & †Easter)!

Beauty Tuesday: May My Teeth Be Merry and Bright

Happy Big Day to yours truly!

The time has arrived: I’m defending my dissertation this afternoon after my anticipated blessing from Bishop Mike.

While it’s still surreal until I actually achieve this vision, I’ve planned everything in advance down to the details of my appearance …

After all: fail to plan, plan to fail ~ to no avail!

• I prepared what to wear several months ago: dress, check√ * jewelry, more jewelry and accessories, check√ * shoes, check√ (something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue)
• I started practicing my presentation a couple of months ago … as well as my makeup and hair style (beauty rehearsal)
• I wrote my pre-defense prayer and post-defense acknowledgements over a month ago (vows)
• I got fresh spa treatment with nails done and brows shaped the weekend before (pampering)
• I started more extensive over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments the week prior (necessity)

That way, my smile will glow, and the coffee stains won’t show! =D

#DISPObustAFlow 

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 Spirit Sunday: Score Goal, New Roles, More Soul

Two-Day Game Warning: Almost the End of Regulation!

As I approach my Big Day (Public Dissertation Defense) to complete my Doctor of Philosophy, my journey toward this ultimate goal may be drawing to a close while my next one toward my career advancement will begin.

However, my Ph.D. pursuit has helped me grow, not just professionally, but also personally, and most of all: spiritually. Furthermore, this undertaking couldn’t have been accomplished single-handedly: GOD’s grace provided, JESUS’ example was all-sided, and the HOLY SPIRIT’s light guided, in addition to Team Dr. D, who had my back. I forever will be grateful to the †Heavenly HOLY TRINITY† and my positive supporters here on Earth, who’ve rooted me on all the way, leading up to this Tuesday, December 8 ~ save-the-date!

My next anticipated title this Advent: Tita Elaine.

We expect my future niece or nephew to arrive around CHRISTmas time ~ the very 1st grandchild of my parents, who recently celebrated their ♥wedding♥ anniversary.  Yes, my family is very blessed. Regardless of these joyous times, I pray that we’ll always turn to the LORD, as we lead our lives here while preparing our eternal home in Heaven.

Sending peace and goodwill to San Bernadino, CA, in the wake of this terrorist tragedy. ✌

Manic Movie Musical Monday: More to Life than Me

Peace✌ to Paris

Trivial problems in our own lives don’t compare to world issues such as this traumatic terrorist act.

Therefore, tuning into Ryan Higa‘s First World Problems puts our own woes into a fresh perspective:

Original (2012) — *NEW* iPhone 5 

More Recent (2014) — NON-iPhone 5 compatible

Speaking of terrorist acts, we also live in a time when natural disasters draw our attention to devastating death tolls from either, leaving us with uncertain times.

San Andreas shows us the measures that we may take by human nature to save our ♥loved♥ ones and survive.

MCM (Man Crush Monday): Dwayne Johnson *stars*

Another Action-Packed Adventurous San Andreas Trailer

This was an excellent flick pick for Movie Night at home with the fam ~ especially since it showcased family!

I certainly needed some down time (even bypassing party and Fight Night invites) after my faculty defense!

With the HOLYdays around the corner plus after a productive day of grading speeches and practicing my own presentation …

♪Chestnuts Roasting on an Open-Fire♫ = exactly what this soon-to-be Doctor ordered!

TGIF: Fall Perks & Quirks ~ Tacky Sweater Weather Edition

Don’t these *Holy Cow Cats* just warm your ♥heart? Both Belated Bday Girl Stats Cat & almost-decade-old Grad Cat do mine! Almost reaching our ultimate goal: PhD for Dr. D …

To stay in the spirit for this season, I decked out with a little bit of my autumn aesthetics ~ ringing in the old with the new!

My little splurge to bring me cheer this time of year: this rad-in-plaid deer because plaid is on-trend (this one somewhat resembles Burberry) + it’s deer season (not that I’m a hunter) & reindeer season‘s just around the corner ~ so I’ll adorn it with special ornaments! Just to add to my eccentricity, I named this bad boy DOC to keep me motivated as I keep trucking along (more in high-speed) toward my doctoral degree! Along with Doc are A&A‘s *Dallas Cowboys* TD toy for football season & my classic Halloween decor ~ including Badtz-Maru pillow ~ on this plaid spread that accompanies autumn yet also is appropriate for winter as we approach CHRIS†mas in red & green!

Here’s more info on my fall favorites to take yours truly through this sweater weather & before the snow hits our neck of the woods …

☼Sunset☼ Selfie: I’m double-cheesin’ (at least without a double-chin) and have a Kool-Aid smile (without the Kool-Aid) because I had a superb dentist visit & cleaning! Coffee stains: gone! {My 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Paper Floral Shirt Dress works in any season & I ♥adore♥ these Smithsonian Cherry Blossom earrings with Swarovski elements from Mami Aya as the perfect color for Breast Cancer Awareness Month + I’m dolling Dulce Candy‘s fall braid-framed bun}

13 Pre-Howl-o-ween Fave Fall Things

1. What’s the best fall memory you have? ~ football games, both when I was in h.s. & when I’d see my *Dallas Cowboys* live (everything’s BIGGER in TX)
2. What’s your favorite book you’re reading (or have read) this fall?~ Guts Grace & Glory (football devotionals) that I received during Lent & am reading through football season
3. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?~ both (winged liner above in Exhibit B)
4. Best fragrance for fall? ~ Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin (above in Exhibit A)
5. What is autumn weather like where you live? ~ we’re still as ☼sunny☼ as Indian summer but anticipate a cool-down soon
6. Most worn sweater? ~ my tribal cardigan by ♫Maroon 5‘s ♪Adam Levine♪
7. Must-have nail polish this fall? ~ Sally Hansen‘s Miracle Gel to top off color because it seriously lasts a long time (I’m just barely removing my color after 45 days)!
8. Football games or jumping in leaf piles? ~ BOTH! (see No. 1 for football & Exhibit B for leaf piles)
9. Skinny jeans or leggings? ~ either or, as long as I don’t have a muffin top in the denim or camel toe in the tights
10. What is something that nobody knows about you? ~ I don’t mind digging into Ramen even if there’s other food in the panty (especially as comfort food now that we’re entering a colder climate), which I actually ate for lunch this afternoon while watching Wong Fu‘s major cook-off!
11. Combat boots or Uggs? ~ bringing on my Docs, baby!
12. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?~ ¡Claro que sí!
13. What song really gets you into the fall spirit? ~ oddly enough, ♫Taylor Swift‘s ♪Wildest Dreams♪ because it could describe any desire (i.e., “tall” could be a tall order of Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha), fulfilled or fantasized about