elainedispo

Posts Tagged ‘graduate school’

Sports Spirit Sunday: Score Goal, New Roles, More Soul

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Spirit Sunday, Sports, Sports Sunday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 12/06/2015 at 12:50

Two-Day Game Warning: Almost the End of Regulation!

Announcement Maze with CardsIMG_8296Announcement with Photo Credits

As I approach my Big Day (Public Dissertation Defense) to complete my Doctor of Philosophy, my journey toward this ultimate goal may be drawing to a close while my next one toward my career advancement will begin.

However, my Ph.D. pursuit has helped me grow, not just professionally, but also personally, and most of all: spiritually. Furthermore, this undertaking couldn’t have been accomplished single-handedly: GOD’s grace provided, JESUS’ example was all-sided, and the HOLY SPIRIT’s light guided, in addition to Team Dr. D, who had my back. I forever will be grateful to the †Heavenly HOLY TRINITY† and my positive supporters here on Earth, who’ve rooted me on all the way, leading up to this Tuesday, December 8 ~ save-the-date!

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My next anticipated title this AdventTita Elaine.

We expect my future niece or nephew to arrive around CHRISTmas time ~ the very 1st grandchild of my parents, who recently celebrated their ♥wedding♥ anniversary.  Yes, my family is very blessed. Regardless of these joyous times, I pray that we’ll always turn to the LORD, as we lead our lives here while preparing our eternal home in Heaven.

Sending peace and goodwill to San Bernadino, CA, in the wake of this terrorist tragedy. ✌

Sports Spirit Sunday: DC is for …

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Spirit Sunday, Sports, Sports Sunday, Sunday Fun Day, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 11/22/2015 at 12:30

Dallas CowboysDissertation Completion –> Championship!

Those are my goals for today:

  • hopeful ‘BOYS victory with Tony Romo back as quarterback ~ countdown to end of regulation (game on)
  • imperative submission of my final draft for review ~ countdown to my dissertation defense (16 more days!)

Grad Cat / Asia Felina Catalina & Stats Cat / Sweet Annie have been by my side all the way …

ANNIEversary

Mini Milestones: Feline Friday & Study Saturday

Happy ANNIE-versary♥ to her & yours truly 1 week ago!

Working Woman’s Wednesday: Dissertation Declutter

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Study Saturday, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/14/2015 at 19:00

Happy National Dessert Day!

Carrot Cake topped w/Cream Cheese & Pecans

C is for … Carrot Cake * Cream Cheese * Chopped Pecans

My peers who’ve preceded me in finishing their doctor of philosophy degrees can agree:

Cleaner and clearer are better.

That means: clean desks and clear minds

Plus clean PowerPoints to clear our minds!

Two of my esteemed classmates who graduated a few years ago and whose guidance I sought for my paper and slideshow both explicitly pointed out that I most certainly must cut back

Down to 120-140 slides, no more than 150!

As the ☼summer☼ drew to a close ~ during my most recent hurdle (that lasted four months as we entered fall term), my statistics ~ I already reached 300+ slides and reached 300+ pages of my dissertation

Yet that’s way too many to fit into a two-hour presentation (including professors‘ Q&A) ~ so I’ve reduced down to almost ½ so far!

Declutter Dissertation

This slide: an indicator that I measured a TON of stats! I ended up taking out 50+ slides last night … Shooting to eliminate more. Next issue: making sure that the fewer slides that I look less cluttered!

Just as I’ve had to minimize my clutter-bug and shutter-bug ways, I’m also de-clutteringcleaning and clearing up my PowerPoint

That way, I can advance into the next round!

Study Saturday: Prime Time Wisdom

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Study Saturday, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/03/2015 at 08:00

Advice / Anecdotes (like the Alliteration?) from Fall TV

Home Reno

Grey’s Anatomy revolves around Dr. Meredith Grey (center), here with her ½-sister from her late mom, Dr. Ellis Grey’s side, Dr. Margaret Pierce, a.k.a. “Maggie” (to her right/viewer’s left) & sister-in-law from her late husband, Dr. Derek Shepherd, a.k.a. “McDreamy‘s” side, Dr. Amelia Shepherd (to her left/viewer’s right) after they demolished a wall ~ as my doc friendturned published author says, we “build out of bricks,” so here these 3 are, starting over from scratch. #HomeReno #DISPObustAFlow Rando Info: Doesn’t the actress who plays Maggie look like the Special K commercial chick in lumberjack (red and black) plaid on a bus? | Courtesy ABC

Grey’s Anatomy on Leadership

Be worthy of being believed in, of being looked up to.

Dr. Edwards to “the other” Dr. Shepherd* (Feb. 26, 2015)

You have to lead.

~ Dr. Harmon to “the other” Dr. Shepherd* (Feb. 26, 2015)

Being a leader isn’t about whether they’ll listen to you, it’s whether they believe in you.

former Chief Dr. Richard Webber to new Chief Dr. Miranda Bailey (Oct. 1, 2015)

I call this GA 360 because this is relevant to followers and leaders alike:

  • Mentors, in the resident’s case of following the attendings
  • Speakers, in my college public speaking students‘ case
  • Leaders, as I’ve studied for my Doctor of Philosophy

Confidence

“There’s a scientific study that shows that if you stand in superhero pose for just five minutes before a job interview or a big presentation or a really hard task, you will not only feel confident, but you will perform measurably better.

~ *Dr. Amelia Shepherd to Dr. Edwards on Grey’s (March 5, 2015)

From Big Bang Theory {next three examples}

Dr. Leonard: “I’m a little nervous” (about approaching George Lucas at Skywalker Ranch).

Dr. Sheldon Cooper: “Get over it. Confidence is key in these situations.”

Empathy

It’s an evolutionary advantage to be included in things.” [as I teach about affection being a basic interpersonal/social need]

Dr. Amy [played by real-life Ph.D. and the Blossom star from 2½ decades ago] about feeling left out to empathize with bf Sheldon

Alliteration and Assonance

You are the King Kong of Ping Pong. You are the Menace of Table Tennis … You said you played Badminton? More like Sadminton!

Dr. Howard to Dr. Raj

Progress

You know why you’re acting this way? You’re so close! I’ve been there … When you’re about to make a breakthrough. Keep going. Don’t stop.

Dr. Derek Shepherd to Dr. Caliet (wannabe mistress) on GA (March 26, 2015)

^– I most certainly must heed this as I approach my finish line! –^ 

Side chart note: Without McDreamy and McSteamy in the mix at Seattle Grace (now Grey-Sloan ~ bad-to-the-bone), it’s “Attending Poser” / *NEW* *HOT* Intern who I’ll chase [not really — just making time to rhyme as always all days]! #DISPObustAFlow 

Study Saturday: Conscientiousness

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Study Saturday, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 09/26/2015 at 08:00

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

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 programconscientiousness* 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:

  • Openness (or Originality)
  • *Conscientiousness (or Consolidation)
  • Extroverion ~ I’ve also consistently tested high for this in the (2) Myers-Briggs (as an ENFJ for Extraversion • Intuition • Feeling • Judging) both when I took it as a psych minor for my undergrad and again in doc school
  • Agreeableness (or Accommodation)
  • Neuroticism (or Emotional Instability) ~ the reverse of this attribute as leaders and doc students is ideal to deal

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!

Grey's Cat

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

  • Down * Dreary * Dull * Depressing * Dismal andDeadly

Banish the Black Burn the Blue * Bury the Beige

  • Think pink * Red is dead * Blue is through * Green‘s obscene * Brown’s too boo

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

  1. Big Five/OCEANhttp://ipip.ori.org/ and http://oaks.nvg.org/big-five.html
  2. Myers-Briggshttp://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/

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!

Study Saturday: PS is for …

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Feline Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Study Saturday, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 07/25/2015 at 06:40

Public Speaking

And how it applies to the college courses that I teach and my own doctoral dissertation

Asia Cube

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}

Don’t y’all always like my alliteration?

Desk Cube

Flashback *Feline* Friday: Here are the other dimensions of my grad cat at my desk! {More Bay & el Valle}

Type of Presentation Description Dissertation
Informative Speech Sharing facts based on research Concept Proposal as Information Session for my Committee
Persuasive Speech Supporting opinions with research Proposal Defense to convince Committee; IRB request
Interview 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)
Special Occasion Speech  Celebrating an event Acknowledging my support system after successful full Defense ~ when I shoot to become Doctor
Cat Clip & Keroppi

With cat art as all the rage lately, I’ve been trendsetting since before then at my work zone! + #FrogFetish#Keroppi

PS also is for … Pet Smart ~ where I go for my catsentials!

Jones Soda

Don’t cat photos always make anything better? This from my sweaty swigs, ya dig?

A&A *Highlights* this Week:

  • Big Asia actually being my bed buddy from sleeping to waking up for the 1st time in 9 years (she usually sleeps at my feet or elsewhere)!
  • Vocal Annie playing copy cat with me by imitating (the greatest form of flattery) the pitch of my voice ~ another element that I teach in speech!

Therefore, Lil’ Ann‘s the mockingcat!

Motivational Manic Monday: Stats Cat

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Feline Friday, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Manic Monday, Motivational Monday, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Study Saturday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 06/22/2015 at 03:30

The Purrfect Distraction from my Data Scoring Manual …

Stats Cat

Annie demands attention

Meet Angel Annie the Stats Cat!

She’s following in her Big Sis Asia the Grad Cat‘s pawsteps!

Asia

Asia takes over my Dallas Cowboys desk chair

Despite not spending as much QT with my Cuties as I’d like, at least they still come around while I’m hard at work!

Beauty Tuesday: Saints School Spirit with Scarves

In ♥ & Soul, Beauty Tuesday, Community, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 04/14/2015 at 08:00

 🔔Ring in spring🌾

  When I visited San Antone for school last month, I picked out pasalubong

along with tees for yours truly! Since I’ve resumed my Church duties and returned to work from bed rest,

I might as well recover from my cold by color-coordinating in pairing these tops with these scarves!

We can call these match-ups a 🍀Spring Fling👌!

Study Saturday: Every Moment Counts

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Sports, Study Saturday, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 02/28/2015 at 09:00

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

Because not a day passes without my discipline and determination to stay focused and deter distractions.

Neighbor cat

Unless you count my catastrophic pleasant distractions, including my neighbor, who’s welcome to chillax ’til her ♥heart’s♥ content snow or ☼shine☼

#DOnotDisturb mode

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After our early week Snow Day and before our Snow Weekend

And with †GOD’s† ☼grace☼

Study Saturday: ♣Spring♣ Cleaning

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Study Saturday, Technology, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Workin' Woman, Workout Wednesday, Yours Truly on 02/07/2015 at 16:00

The clearing of clutter continues …

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Just a few books in my library

Since a book rep visited my campus, I took full advantage by bringing my slew of books from which I studied in college and grad school or taught in undergrad courses.

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More books from my garage