Flashback Friday: Scholar Satisfaction with Strategy

I’ve advanced from my committee to full faculty defense!

 As I prepare for my first round of presentation(s), I connect the actual theories of my dissertation study with reaching this ultimate finish line of achieving my doctoral degree …

What Worked for Me?

Exemplary Leadership Practices

• Model the Way and Inspire a Shared Vision ~ self-fulfilling prophecy: behaving consistently with the goal that I’ve set forth
• Challenge the Process ~ minimizing distractions ~ I’ve kept my iPhone on “Airplane Mode” (which has helped so I could dodge notifications from text messages, news and sports while checking email and other information from my computers)
• Enable Others to Act and Encourage the ♥Heart♥ ~ keeping around the support system that I endearingly call Team Dr. D, including my Double A-Team, who spread positive vibes through prayer and motivation

Flashback Friday: Acting out a skit for our doctoral program‘s first Halloween luncheon! This was a nice mid-term break from our heavy course load to have fun!

Speaking of PRACTICE, practicing indeed makes perfect in many ways:

• from doing Tae Bo to lose the “Freshman 15” (8-min. workout 8x/day)
• to running through my presentation on my own and with my chair

Athlete Satisfaction

• Satisfaction with  Strategy, Ability Utilization plus Training and Instruction ~ taking the tactics necessary to sticking with the program: my professors emphasized our strengths plus accommodated to our audio, visual and kinesthetic learning styles
• Satisfaction with Team Integration and Personal Dedication ~ I was blessed to part of a study group who collaborated well and helped out each other, plus when I felt overwhelmed with test anxiety (so I should empathize with my students who experience speech anxiety), I’d work out {Exhibits A and B} to boost and induce my confidence

* Example: When we took our written first-year luminary comprehensive examinations, I saw my fellow physically active classmate stretching, so I also moved my muscles to bring blood flow to my brain, and during our breaks, I’d step outside the academic building for fresh air and relaxing at the gazebo to clear my head

Flashback Friday: Apparently, I didn’t have shame  in my game by decking myself out in this *DCC* costume! #PostMarathonPhysique

Plus, I’ve considered mistakes that I’ve made that potentially could have set me back from reaching my goal

What Did NOT Work for Me?

• I lost sight of my “prize” when I focused on external forces, such as a social life or romance ~ which probably would’ve been effective if I had a supportive partner

Feline Friday: Sweet Annie the Stats Cat loves her reflection so much that she surrendered to her staring contest and snoozed #SnapCat #CatNap

Reflecting on my growth through this process has made me stronger as a productive person in society, but most of all: one who gives my gifts to GOD!

Beauty Tuesday: Post-Summer Post ~ S is for …

Welcome, September! With school in full swing, I still have ☼summer☼ season on the brain!

☼Sunkissed Summer☼

1. What is your go-to product for a sunkissed summer glow?

natural ☼sunshine: *FREE* Vitamin D!

2. What book would you recommend for a summer read?

Dulce Candy Ruiz‘s The Sweet Life to inspire anyone & Dr. Karen Kelsky‘s The Professor Is In for fellow grad students

Backyard Post-Bday Brunch to bask in ☼sunshine☼ + organize my HK planner & pleasure-read (intended ~ I ended up just working)

 both of which hit bookshelves exactly 4 weeks ago!

3. What’s your signature summer scent this year?

Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Summer Edition (since 2012) ~ I also store Sephora samples in my handbags

4. The sun is shining and it’s time to get outside! What’s your favorite thing to do?

simply bask in the ☼sunshine☼ through ALL of my senses ~ including the smell of fresh air

5. You’re on the boardwalk and starving! What’s your go-to summer beach food?

banana ice cream, paletas (popcycles) or raspas (snow cones) ~ anything frozen treat to beat the heat!

6. What’s your dream summery date?

watch a blockbuster & ☼sun☼ fun run or walk on the beach + chow down

7. After a day in the summer heat, what do you do to cool off?

chillax with my shows + consume cucumber ~ on my eyes & in H2O #DISPObustAFlow

8. How do you wear your hair in the summer?

braids for days

9. What’s your must-have nail polish for summer 2015?

this Tiffany Blue hue

Fitting name for this shade

as Audrey Hepburn tribute

10. What shows do you recommend for summer?

my share of sizzling series: network nighttime dramas + home/real estate reality TV

11. Do you wear liquid foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer in the summer?

occasional base but more powder to offset sweat

12. Sunglasses or Hats?

Exhibit shown below

I tip off this hat & show school team spirit!

I always must sport ~O-O~specs~O-O~ anyway ~ I usually rock my Coach transitional lenses nowadays + still have my Fendi & Gucci frames*

13. What is your summer jam this year?

• ♪Let’s ♫Marvin Gaye♫ & Get It On♪ (not that I’m trying to make love or babies ~ I just like the ♫rhythm♫ & ♪tune♪)

• ♫Locked Away♪ (not that I’m doing anything to get locked up ~ I really dig the ♫beat♪ & ♫Adam Levine‘s ♪singing)

• ♪Bad Blood♫ (so cliche, but I ♥heart♥ the graceful ♫Taylor Swift♪ ~ not to mention that you can’t take the ♪hip hop♫ out of this chick)

14. Do you have a summer bucket list?

mainly to finish my doc docs (paper & PowerPoint to prep to present for dissertation defense) ~ since I’m not completely caught up, my Plan B is to have them done by Labor Day now that Fall is upon us and the BiG Day draws near + added bonus: relatives reunion, check √

15. Bikini, tankini, or one piece? Show us your fave bathing suit this year!

I’ve already built up quite a two-piece collection through the years but wouldn’t mind adding a monokini to the mix ~ my fave of the moment: my VS chevron top & ombré bottom (see No. 5 “paleta” link for sippie selfie in said swimsuit)

16. What’s your favorite sweat proof product?

Banana Boat Baby Faces ☼sunblock

17. If you could create your own ice cream flavor, what would it be?

Champ Hoop Scoop ~ to score an ice cream dreamy combo of my faves:

• Nutella
• caramel
• nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)
• coconut
• pineapple

S also is for …

• Sticking to Schedule

Filled up in August & as we approach September

• Spiritual Supplies including *Star* Hole Punch

Champ Catechesis student’s First Communion reception gift goodies

• This Season’s Shoes & MORE Score ~ especially the A+ collaboration between ALDO & Target (coming to stores on ☼Sunday, September 6th/countdown in 5 days)
• *Specs & ☼Sunglasses now that Drew Barrymore has released her Flower brand exclusively with Walmart ~ some timing as I’m in need for new Rx eyewear!
• Speaking of which, Sofia Vergara glasses & shades are offered at Sears!

$ Therefore, S also is for: Savings $

NO

• ♫Summertime Sadness♫ or
• ♪Wake Me Up When September Ends♪ here!