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!

Fitness Friday: Sun Buns

☼Sun☼ Out, Buns Out!

In this case, I don’t mean the buns-in-the-oven that I mentioned recently, unless you have one (or more on the way) ~ at which case I suggest that you consult with your physician about the upcoming physical activity!

Once upon a time (a decade ago), someone told me that I have a bubble butt ~ he meant that as a compliment: that my behind looked lifted and firm!

Flashback Friday: My BFF & I rock out the same EXP ReRock Jeans! #2greatMindsThinkAlike

So, our ☼sunny☼, sweaty series goes down to the derierre to round out all of the ☼summer☼ routines!

As Ice Cube raps:

♫Put your back (or another word) into it!♪

~ from the Save the Last Dance soundtrack

Bottom Moves to Get YOU into Tip-Top Shape

• Squats (legs): try variations of stances (wide/plié, hip/shoulder width, narrow) and my 1K challenge!
• Deadlifts (legs & back): while standing with your legs hip/shoulder width apart and holding your choice of resistance down in front of you close to your body, lower the weight toward your ankles then raise it up to your hips ~ lift with your knees, NOT with your back, and DON’T lock your knees!
• Clean Press (my personal favorite for legs & shoulders): start at deadlift position, then squat while lifting the weight over your head!
• Standing Extensions (quadriceps) & Curls (hamstrings): while standing with your legs together, lift one leg directly in front of you (quads/front of your thigh) then bring it behind you (hams/back of your thigh) ~ 3×20 each leg
• Vic(tory) Kicks: kick your legs up to the sky!

Flashback Friday: *DCC*

Baby Fever Friday: Flashback Friday Edition: Baby Family Album

Within the past less-than-48 hours⏰ alone, I’ve received wonderful news from different friends 🌍far🌎 🌏away:

• On Wednesday, my SFAM 📱texted📲 me her baby 💝shower☔️ photos
• Last night, my 🏈🏀⚾️sports⚽️🎾⛳️ 📺journalist📰 bud emailed me a picture of his newborn
• Today, I received one of my nearest and dearest’s pregnancy announcement!

This prompts me to share a select few of my own special baby👶🏻 📷pics, with timing in between recent Mother’s Day💐 and upcoming 👔Father’s Day!

My Baby Album📖 (from my 😷birth🏥 to my 🙏🏽baptism💒 to my 👧🏽sister’s birth [we think] : ✌🏽️

 

                    

Throwback Thursday: NBA Playoff Hype

Happy 2015 🏈NFL🏉 Draft Day 1!

While I’m disappointed that my main NBA🏀 team, the Dallas Mavericks, aren’t advancing to Round 2 of the Playoffs, I must point out a few fun facts about the other Texas🏇 team who eliminated them…

• The Houston 🚀Rockets’ D-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley 🐍Vipers, won the 2010 NBA-DL championship🏆 under my watch!

 

• The Vipers head coach📢 back then, Chris Finch, now is assistant coach of the Rockets!

 

• I was a faithful ☝️fan, as you can see on the bench, backing los Vipers (check out my close-up in my black Vipers tee behind the team in ⏰seconds :32-37)!