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 …
The Elaine Dispo Journal 