Flashback *Feline* Friday: My grad cat keeps me company through this cube at my desk! {Fun fotos taken when we lived in Cali then when I taught in the Valley}
Asking and answering questions ~ which also involves the powers of persuasion
Committee, Faculty and Public Defense ~ all for which I’m preparing to get into defense shape (also involved when I initially applied to my doctoral program, my final and comprehensive exams)
When my Tito’s daughter/my oldest cousin, Melissa, got married (exactly 12 years and two months ago today and exactly two weeks after I graduated from McMurry), I spent the ☼morning☼ of her nuptials running in the Maryland rain!
Wayback Wednesday: I can’t believe that back then, I thought that ruching made me look fat ~ it looks fab! #PrettyInPink
Those were the days when I didn’t have to ~ as Milli Vanilli (whose ½ of the duo would’ve turned the BiG 5-0 almost three weeks ago) would ♪sing♪ (or lip-sync) ~ ♫Blame It On the Rain♫ … BEFORE my crazy cold after I chilled on the chili Corpus Christi beach during my business trip.
Even though I myself am NOT a bride, that isn’t stopping me from wanting to stay in shape during wedding season, and most of all, when I defend my dissertation and graduate this fall. Check out my fave fit babes‘ workouts to get wedding-ready for those of you who are about to walk down the aisle or have another important upcoming event:
She’s still as beautiful as can be and has sustained the pain beyond the rain, from sleet and snow to hurricanes and hail storms, without damage (knock on wood ~ as in my luxury wood dash trim interior)!
“It’s got 4-wheel drive, dual-side air bags & a monster [hit high-pitch] ♪sound♫ system!” ~ Alicia Silverstone as Cher on Clueless {mine makes the last 2-out-of-3}
Although we’re freshly into ☼summer☼, I tend to think ahead …
While I’ve already planned what to wear on my BiG day right down to my footwear (yet still debatable), I’m wondering about plaid since it’ll be the look of next season.
I already know that I can *rock out*plaid! Just what the future Doctor ordered: these Doc Martens! {FYI: I have my phone screen shot for a reason ~ to show that I maintain Airplane Mode to prevent distractions during my study}
Perhaps I can go with one of these trendsetting patterns for my graduation photos that I’ll send with my announcements. Come to think of it, I really am treating this like I’m tying the knot! Here are similarities:
Writing Dissertation (way longer to write and present)
Writing Wedding Vows (shorter to present)
Walking Across the Stage
Walking Down the Aisle
Getting Hooded
Getting Hitched
Changing Name to Dr. ________________
Changing Name to Mrs. ________________
* Bearing in mind that I’m picking out how to dress for this milestone, I’m deciding between something stylish or timeless. Someday, as I flip through my Ph.D. grad pics to reminisce or show them to future generations, I must look put-together and NOT like a hot mess! ~ I definitely don’t want to reflect back and think
Despite the serious nature of my study and my own detail-orientation of my appearance for my final presentation, I can’t help but find fun in everything to lift my spirits, including with this clip:
As the Golden State Warriors of the West one-upped the Cleveland Cavaliers of the East to lead the 2015 NBA title series, I also reached achievement to feel victorious:
I landed at a happy medium for my Ph.D. participant total for my surveysample!
Come a long way … Still more to go!#DISPObustAFlow
One step closer toward World Champions status for these ballers, one step closer toward dissertation defense for yours truly!
While this may not be the most exciting news for the entire world, what it means to me is that
I now can run my stats STAT #DrDISPObustAFlow
P
S
R
Doctor of Philosophy
School/Scholar/Study
Research
Professional Pursuit
Social Science
Participants
Survey
Players
Sports/Student-Athletes
Performance
Satisfaction
Population Percentage
Statistics
Run Stats/Analyze Results
Exactly eight months after I started collecting data (despite the slow start, it’s really about how I execute and complete), I’ve now entered this well-anticipated phase …
Just like many brides👰🏽 may 👣step👟 up their 🏈A-game🏀 to get wedding-ready, I as a 🎓Ph.D. candidate am doing everything in my power that backs up my dissertation, up until the day of my full defense:
First of all, I’ve been wearing my class ring on my left hand since I received it after my candidacy (compare engagement/popping-the-question to comprehensive exams/answering-the-questions)
Waking up every morning with it on my mind and tuning those thoughts into actions that support it (contacting folks [like in wedding planning], writing [like in marriage vows])
Posting affirmations to remind me of my goal everyday, including this gorgeous reminder ~ inspired by TIU‘s K&K👙 in FFF📖 (this note is posted on my dashboard)
YES, I made it up: PhD for Pretty HOT Driver ~ what can I say? This. Is. LEGIT. #fuego
Keeping my defense dress👗 hung up in plain view ~ so I can see it and envision myself presenting🎤 my paper📜 (I’ll also have a dress👔 rehearsal/run-through to practice while wearing it ahead of time)
Exercising both my body and my brain for the physical and mental fitness to endure and persevere
I ended up scoring another A’GACI number that matches up with almost all-of-the-above ~ plus has this ☼spring’s☼ on-point trend: polka dots!
Then I had to remind myself of this scripture that I came across during †Lent†:
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of †GOD† and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” ~ Matthew 6:25-27, 31-34
With all of the abundant activities that have called for my attention lately, I’ve been mustering up every extra waking moment away to work on my dissertation ~ which is why I’ve actually appreciated these recent snow days.
Some of my colleagues have considered their own hours per day of dedication on their doctoral research as shift work
Others have only been able to devote even just a few minutes per day to their study
Lately, I’ve fallen under the latter category, rather than the former. Once upon a time, I was able to spend a whole work day’s worth, but with countless demands, I’m fortunate to invest up to an hour or so; for instance, with the additional studies that my department requires for us to review for our doctoral degrees, I’ve included at least one more per day. Regardless of how much time I’ve been able to write and research, the process is paying off as I keep making progress
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
