Happy Feast Day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton!
This educator was my favorite saint growing up. In my own childhood Catechism class, I first heard this ♪song♫ (Matthew 6:33) when we watched a video about her life…
With my own dreams of helping establish a Ca†holic school in my hometown, I look to St. Elizabeth for inspiration and seek her intercession.
4:44 ~ make a New Year’s wish!!!
R.I.P.✌ all of the fatalities in today’s Oregon community college massacre.
Those who were shot and killed are modern-day martyrs.
While we live in a nation where we have the freedom to express ourselves (First Amendment) ~ including through our religion, we unfortunately may encounter those who express their animosity against our beliefs.
C is for …
F is for …
Faith * Football * Field of Life
G is for …
In Jim Grassi‘s Guts Grace & Glory, connections are made between the football field and Christianity. Dr. Grassi, who has worked with pro football players in my beloved Bay Area, makes athletes’ testimonies and scripture readings relevant with the game and our overall moral conduct as a whole…
Besides the textbook from which which I teach, I also refer to supplementary sources for my speech students! While I still separate religion from education in the public school system, I tie in certain codes of conduct practiced when relevant.
This leads me to pursuing my legacy, even at my age, because we never know whether we’ll still be here tomorrow ~ so
How will you be spiritually when you meet your maker?
Affirmations for Athletes and Non-Athletes Alike
Another Inspirational Reading from a fellow Christian
During this week’s conference call with my dissertation chair, she called me
conscientious.
I not only accepted this ~ to ♥heart♥ and absolutely at face value ~ as the best compliment from her (when we were discussing the running and re-running of my statistics for my research results) but also am ensuring that I live up to this standard.
St. Joseph the Worker †prayer† that contains the word conscientiously from my Doctor of Philosophy friend who I idolize
When my cohort members and I were admitted into our doctoral program, conscientiousness* happened to be one of the personality traits for which we tested and that we studied in our leadership theories literature. It comes from the (1b) Big Five psychometric assessment that uses the “OCEAN” acronym:
According to the (1a) instrument provided by my doctoral degree program, someone who is conscientious is “achievement”-oriented and “self-disciplined” ~ so this implies that conscientiousness involves intentions (definitely something for which I strive).
Currently, my conscientiousness has stuck with me through school ~ as both a scholar and an educator!
Throwback: Some timing that Grey’s Anatomy premiered its 12th season this week ~ I actually reported on it during my 1st year of doc coursework (my Grad Cat is the #PhotoBomb #BombDotCom shortly before baby sis Stat Cat‘s birth Annie-versary) ~ this is an example of a presentation aid that I just covered with my speech students
This past week, I taught my students about literary terms, so I tied them into ♪music♫ and pop culture:
Asyndeton in ♫George Strait‘s ♪The Chair♪
Irony in ♫Alanis Morissette‘s ♪Ironic♪
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication in Jeremy Lin‘s How to Fit in the NBA
Personification plus Alliteration and Assonance in Funny Face that featured Audrey Hepburn!
If it (Quality magazine) won’t speak to me, it won’t speak to them.
~ Ms. Prescott, Editor-in-Chief
D for
Banish the Black * Burn the Blue * Bury the Beige
Now I know that my advisor wasn’t trying to flatter me, but her acknowledgment meant encouragement … of the ♥heart.
I challenge you fellow servants and leaders to consider which personality traits that you have in order to enhance your strengths and improve from your weaknesses!
Site Sources
Another Reference (when I minored in psychology)
Oldham, J. M., & Morris, L. B. (1995). The new personality self-portrait: Why you think, work, love, and act the way you do. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
Addendum
After I helped lead my †Church† in prayer at Vigil Mass, Fr. Bob, our Pastor, greeted me as “Soon-to-be Dr. Dispo” ~ to which I replied, “GOD-willing,” and “to glorify GOD.”
Happy Belated Birthday to our Fr. Kumar, our Parochial Vicar!
Thank GOD It’s Fall!
As much as ☼summer☼ is my favorite season (after all, that’s when my birthday takes place), I’m making the most out of autumn ~ especially going outside for crisp, fresh air!
I’m also all about Starbucks seasonal flavors* ~ from ☼summer’s fruitiness to these comfy delights:
My latest Starbucks Gold Card reward redeemed: Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino!
My venti cold cup always comes in handy … for a discount & a drink to last me all ☼day!
Apparently, I was my local barista’s 1st customer to order a Toasted Graham Frappuccino! #StarbucksLovers ♥ #trendsetter
Furthermore, football has kicked off into full swing!
I refreshed my ♥heart♥ & ☼soul☼ with ♥Adoration♥ †Chapel† holy hour at †Church† & with this ☼spirit☼ book + my bod with this Graham Goodness! (Even though I’ll cover up more, I’ll definitely still tone up with whatever energy I still can muster in the midst of working on my dissertation!
Here are a few of my favorite things for fall …
Trunk or Treat: ☼Sunshine☼ (my truck) tailgate was decked out with festive decor that featured ♥A&A♥ when we gave candy to my †Church† students last Howl-o-ween!
Nine Fine Fall Flaves
1. Favorite Candle: my Bath & Body Works‘ Salty Caramel that I used to light up my *Dallas Cowboys* jack-o-lantern and Advent †cross† (I’m also all about BBW‘s Pumpkin Pecan Waffles/White Barn‘s Thanksgiving Morning)
2. Favorite Lip Color: toss-up between my red Ardency Inn ♥Love♥ Cat lipstick from Sephora or purple Vera Wang *Rockstar* lip gloss from ULTA (c/o my Bestie Evie)
3. Favorite Drink: please view above {Exhibits B-E}
4. Favorite Blush: the ones from my KleanKolor Double Rainbow palette, plus I think that I’ll try Dulce Candy‘s tip on lip colors in a pill box for cheek colors!
5. Favorite Clothing Item: my birthday gifts ~ specifically the scarf/shawl ~ and my recent online finds plus my Target scores ~ particularly the jeans and booties!
6. Favorite Fall Movie: no new releases, so I’ll go with classic football flicks: Varsity Blues (came out my sr. yr.), Friday Night Lights (with a cameo of my h.s.), Remember the Titans, Any Given Sunday, The Longest Yard (including the original)
7. Favorite Fall Show: Grey’s ♥Anatomy!!! I’ve been counting down for the Season 12 premiere since the Season 11 finale ~ as a loyal fan for over a decade since the very beginning with the previous seasons on DVD
8. Favorite Thanksgiving Food: I’m not going to lie –> my Cranberry Pie #DISPObustAFlow
9. Favorite Halloween Costume: now how about I have y’all pick? My personal faves include when I rocked out my abs live, No. 5 … I won our contest in 2013 as Lone Ranger‘s Tonto and in 2014 as my Nurse Mom who was fine in 1969! Will I make a 3-peat??
Actually, please allow me to add a 10th item:
My #1 Favorite for Fall: my ✌two✌ ♥cute, cuddly companions♥ with whom to softly snuggle for cozy comfort plus who keep me company while hard at work and welcome me home after hard at play!
CHEERS to this time of year!
Close-up of mi Gringa: my white girl with green eyes
HBD, ♥Sweet Annie♥!
Stats Cat is on the prowl with no growl…
Today is the Annie-versary of my Stats Cat‘s birthdate!
Cat in the Box! Cute things come in Target packages!
So, that’s F for Feline …
I can’t leave out Grad Cat! These Baby Blues are here to seduce! ♪I am Siamese, if you please♫
& F also is for:
Quick Cat Comedy / Feline Funnies: Since our bathroom has dual sinks, Big Asia likes to jump into the right one & “drink out of a fountain” ~ the other day, I turned on the left faucet & noticed her trying to sip from the right! {repping our *Dallas Cowboys* by sporting my TS dress from my fellow cat ♥lover’s collection + headband, earrings & paraband from my speech student‘s son + St. Benedict scapular jewelry from my blessed bestie}
I never thought that 2 of my fave flaves could be combined … 1st: Choco-Flan. Now, Mocha Tres Leches! #SweetLife
Annie leads the purrfect life because she’s easy to please …
Still in full bloom from the ☼summer☼
Content Angel Annie in her natural habitat: soaking in the ☼sunshine☼
Spring showers helped this baby blossom!
My tiny tea cup cat’s fave hot spots: the windows! Here she is at the window behind my piano peering out into our garden…
Part of our backyard view complete with lush green grass (most definitely the best-mani on the block, hands down)! We’re enjoying the summer ☼sun☼ while we can before autumn officially starts soon. After receiving more precipitation at the ½way point this year following our previous full year’s totals, I wonder how much we’ll get next season?
Heavenly Hibiscus: My private elementary school student‘s science fair ~ that won honorable mention ~ flower that we started growing without ♪music♫ (his share with) last winter has blossomed during past ♣spring♣ showers & reached full bloom this ☼summer☼ at 1½’ tall by this fall!
+ F also is for: ☼ † ♥ ✌
Now that football season has kicked off, this sports spirituality book will do just the trick to keep my soul on a roll while I keep working on my own sports study (been investing 12-15h/day on it lately ~ ’til this weekend so I could focus on my Church readings)!
†Reverent† Annie sits still before *Game Time* to read religiously!
#HBD ♪ #SweetAnnie ♫ #CATchOfTheDay #Birthday ♥ #GameDay #DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #DC4L #CowboysFan #CowboysFam #CowboysAnn #Birthday Grrrl #PURRfectMoment2PAWS✌ #PURRfectMoment2PRAY† #PURRfectMoment2PLAY #PurrfectSunday☼ #PAWsitiveForeCAT #PAWsitiveCATitude #GameCountdown #Touchdown #BirthdayScore #BirthdayCat #JerseyCat #StatsCat #HolyCowcat #Catcow #Meow #CATholic #AnnieRosary† #DISPObustAFlow
Go, *Dallas Cowboys* against your NFC East Rivals, those Philly Eagles today!
☼Sunday☼ Selfie: While my Holy Cowcat reps our *’BOYS* I rep the purrty Bday Grrrl with this Hello Kitty cupcake tee + cat earrings & cupcake helix (ear cartilage) ring in addition to this *Dallas Cowboys* headband
What is your calling in life?
We all have a purpose, and our greatest sense of purpose must come from a higher power.
In my case, as a †Catholic, I’ve sought †GOD’s will for me.
I’ve always considered two options:
However, I still can be a single lay person who ♥loves♥ and serves †GOD† with all of my ♥heart♥ and soul.
Consider The Nun’s Story, starring Audrey Hepburn and based on a book.
The Nun’s Story recently encored, so I had to watch it!
This film featured a woman’s challenges between upholding her vows and satisfying her own wants, such as
Audrey Hepburn in the role of a lifetime
Filmed on site in Congo in the 20th Century
We’re all human and have our moments. It’s just part of life here on Earth and a matter of maintaining what’s most important to us.
Throwback Thursday
Taking on different roles
My faculty colleagues and I watched our students graduate, including my ✌fellow✌ marathon runner to my left!
When I first taught at the college level …
†Fathers† on either side of this †Sister! The one to my right was my student my very first semester!
The †Bishop† in this photo is the father of my student above and a ✌fellow✌ PhD candidate, and the †Father† in this photo is a ✌fellow✌ Pinoy!
Pinoys ‘R Us … The ✌fellow✌ Pinays are mother and daughter, and the daughter was a soloist in our Tosca performance plus is a recording Christian artist now!
I also ♪sang♫ as a nun in the ♫opera!
I ♪sang♪ ♫soprano♫ in my †Church† ♫choir, but as a †nun† in this ♪opera♪♫chorus, I ♪sang♪ ♫alto♫ with this ✌fellow✌ †Sister!
The †priest† and †monk† are ✌fellow✌ Pinoys, and the ✌fellow✌ †Sister† is a ✌fellow✌ teacher (of language arts)!
YES, men rock makeup too! We all must look presentable on stage when the ☼spotlight☼ is on us. #PutYourBESTfaceForward Mine is by M•A•C
My †Mass† Readings This ☼Weekend☼
- Book of Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
- Responsorial ♪Psalm♫ 54
- Letter of St. James 3:16-4:3 ✌
As Bruno Mars sings
♪Baby Squirrel, you’s a $3×7 … ♫
My first fun run♥ ♥heartburn-free this week to be greeted on his home turf! #HomeOfTheAbilenePrairieDogs
I treasure
To view close-ups of some of these beautiful petals from ☼floral showers☼ surrounding ♥Our Lady♥ who I visit after my †Adoration† Hour, then please check out Bishop Mike‘s OLG medal & Pope Francis‘ coin!
and my fave fall flave:
PSL is back! I hit up *$ after my park jog specifically for this & was grateful that it made a grand return ~ following the succulent ☼summer☼ flavors! #KickingOffFall +Added *BONUS*: while I was at Market Street, I took time to smell the roses ~ great stress-relief therapy in the midst of this dissertation preparation!
Double the Pumpkin = 1 Delighted Munchkin #PumpkinSpiceLatte #PumpkinScone
Please make it sweet & spiced + iced …
Spice … Ice … Nice … Is this a vice?
& to top it off to make it all nice:
Pair with a Pumpkin Scone
Can’t go wrong with FREE samples … Because even if it’s a YOLO, the portion’s so low! #DISPObustAFlow
To Knock 2 Birds with 1 Stone!
#DISPObustAFlow ✌
Special delivery: Introducing the Sweet Pea (I ♥love♥ the name ~ same as my *True Blue Pit Bull* may she ✌R.I.P.) satchel from the MARKKIT BelindaSelene Collection …
I absolutely ♥adore♥ the sleek shine of the patent blush & smooth texture of the taupe suede … all in vegan leather #GoodForTheEnvironment (I also dig the packaging & tags in Tiffany blue + complimentary candy ~ pleasant sweet surprises ~ to add to my desk)
I added to my wardrobe from my YouTube gurus’ collections:
The gold handle hardware matches up w/my gold wristlets complete w/satin polka dotted lining w/a large zipped pocket in the inside back + handy-dandy compartments to store keys, lipstick, etc. Carries well w/the adjustable crossbody & double snaps above zipper closure ~ what appealed to me the most initially was the bowling bag shape! This’d go great with the CK colorblock dress from my Nanay!
Special Delivery today … Oh, snap as I call my stats a wrap! Stats Cat wants to get in on the pacatge wrap!
This navy blue & white number would pair well with the Sakroots crossbody that Mami Aya gave me for my bday!
I must’ve scored the last 1 because it no longer stayed in stock the day after!
Soon-to-be Bday Grrrl Sweet Annie‘s easy to please: w/her squirrel tail & her likewise squirrel tail toy + dress packaging!
Speaking of ♫T-Swift, here’s her rendition of Friends‘ Phoebe’s ♫Smelly Cat♪ ^– check it –^
The Elaine Dispo Journal 
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Thirsty Thursday: Triple T
In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Thirsty Thursday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/29/2015 at 08:00We all have unique ways that GOD has called us to serve Him and His people.