Sports Sunday Fun Day: Maligayang Bati, Papa Jun!

♪Happy ☼Birthday☼♫ to my Dad today!

Go, *Dallas Cowboys* this NFL ☼Sunday!

Throwback: Papa Jun & I en route to our *Dallas Cowboys* game against the Philly Eagles during the ‘BOYS‘ first season at its new home field (then-Cowboys Stadium/now-AT&T Stadium)

Just like any fortunate child who has grown up with a father or paternal figure, I feel extremely †blessed† and grateful to still have mine as a constant part of my life.

Throwback: Papa Jun & I have a good view of *America’s Team* and *America’s Sweethearts from 6 rows behind the end zone!

Papa Jun is one of the most well-rounded people who I know and admire:

• He was a hardworking country boy in his side of the family’s province in the Philippines 
• He served over two decades in the *United States Air Force* both Stateside and overseas
• He continued his almost two-decade aviation career after retiring from the military
• He stays active as he plays tennis and roots on our football and basketball teams
• He taught me many fundamentals, from math to car maintenance to politics

Even as an adult, I still keep learning from my Dad, who always enlightens me everyday, through his example and his wisdom as a prayerful soon-to-be first-time grandfather with whom I attended Church today. Cheers, Pops!

Maligayang Bati, Papa Jun, at ♥Mahal♥ Kita!

✌ R.I.P., Flip Saunders of the NBA ✌

Beauty Tuesday: Steel Butterfly Stilettos

Here’s a hint of what I’ll be this Halloween …

Throwback: My *Philippine Flag* Mestiza Gown complete with Butterfly Sleeves for the Filipinana Gala that I covered (press and photo) back in 2009 ~ Asia the #PhotoBombDotCom before Annie‘s birth ♥Annie-versary♥

Clue: She’s known as the Steel Butterfly who scared off the Beatles who flew far from the Philippines never ever to return.

Meet BOO ~ who’ll play the Pinoy Pomeranian pup this weekend (since the P.I. First Lady had a canine as her sidekick)

After winning the costume contest these past couple of years, will I come back for a 3-peat, suggested my boy *USMC* Kyle with a smile?

Just a few of my favorite all-season shoes … Love my Brett Favre photobomb?

While what was on my head (the crow as Lone Ranger‘s Tonto in 2013 & my beehive gone live in 2014) did the trick ~ or treat? ~ will this year’s fate be helped with what I wear on my feet?

I was choosing between my silver {from O’Shoes} or gold skinny heels to boost my height & compliment my festive sequins …

Speaking of stilettos, this Muse of Manila who I’ll portray this Saturday was known to have 3K pairs of shoes!

My skinny heels wouldn’t be complete without these Solemates High Heeler® ~ so I won’t stay stuck in the mud or other stilleto-unfriendly surfaces!

Just to be on the safe side, I wouldn’t endorse wearing heels all day everyday ~ more in moderation … and always have a back-up pair of flats!

Manny Monday: Fight, 4th, Cinco, Nurses & Moms

Happy May the 4th be with You!

Monday’s multiple feature is about May days …

• First, I traveled to SA for school and to meet with my esés for the game and fight*

Pinoy Pride ✌

*My remarks about Manny:

• He has way more going on in his life than just being a fighter:

1. He lives by his faith
2. He is a hero to his family and my native country due to

• his generosity from his earnings and
• his political career

… while Fighter is the only identity that Floyd Mayweather has achieved:

1. Professionally, obviously
2. Personally ~ considering his history of violence

This self-proclaimed $Money$ was in it for

• The title and to remain undefeated
• $elfishly keeping his winnings

 

• Before and after my trip back home, I had to celebrate May the Fourth be with You 

*** Star Wars *stars* ***

Cory’s King Cavalier Spaniels

Charlotte Bleu as Chewbacca

♪♫Rowley Jazz♫♪ as R2D2

Chris’ Rat Terrier

Snappy Jack as Darth Vader

My Double As as Princess Leia

Queen Asia with Obi-Wan Kenobi‘s Krayt Dragon

Princess Annie with Mardji Elephants

• Please vote for my Nurse Mom the Bday Girl in spirit of Nurses Week (May 6th-12th) and ☼Mother’s Day☼

Please go to No. 16 of 37 to find us, thanks!

• Please read this San Angelo Standard-Times article about my grad school classmate who asks for us to donate in the wake of the Nepal earthquake (in which I’m also quoted)

Throwback: Decade ago when we were awarded with our ASU grad scholarships

• Here are throwbacks from celebrating Cinco de Mayo Fiesta when I was teaching en el Valle

 

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo mañana!

Sports Sunday: Special Edition ~ Pacwow

First of all, in the wake of Nepal’s 🌏earthquake, let’s please render a helping hand! 👋

I’m relieved that my 🎓grad school classmate has survived and is seeking shelter donations! 💸

Next up on the international front, ESPN’s SportsCenter📺 featured my native country, the 🌴Philippines, in this exclusive 🎬documentary🎥 about Manny Pacquiao and his humble beginnings …

… Just six days from the 2nd of May, when he finally fights👊 Floyd Mayweather this Saturday ~ after coming a long way from Mindanao to the Manila Bay into present day! ⚓️

Therefore, remember: Circumstances, such as socioeconomic status or being from a third world country, DON’T determine your success ~ willpower💡 does! 

Pac-WOW 💥 ~ Go, Pacquiao! #DISPObustAFlow 🎤

      

                                    
          
    

Thirsty Thursday: Santo Niño

Like the Child †JESUS†, we can have childlike faith.

Santo Niño: I received this beautiful †Sto. Niño† from my ♥beloved♥ Nanay Betty for my 11th Birthday

That is what Father Joey pointed out during his homily at our Santo Niño Mass this past Sunday.

Father Joey blessed our †Santo Niños† at our ♥Sacred Heart♥ Mass on ☼Sunday☼, 1/18/2015

If we reflect on Presentation  and Finding of †Jesus† at the Temple (the fourth and fifth Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary), then we can somehow imitate this kind of faith in †GOD† before anyone else.

Series of Santo Niños ¡juntos¡

Let us make ourselves more in the likeness of our Prince of ✌Peace✌.

In other holy lifestyle news …

I was asked by my sweet student‘s mother to read at her Church wedding ~ there’s always ample time to glorify GOD with the gifts with which He has blessed us!

Black Monday

Today, I wear black to honor the Typhoon Haiyan/Typhoon Yolanda victims. My shirt is actually a black Hard Rock Cafe Saigon tee from Vietnam, where the storm approached after it hit my native country, the Philippines.

Today also is my Papa Ped‘s 5th Death Anniversary. Even to this day, I miss my hardworking paternal grandfather, Pedro T. Dispo, Sr. (June 27, 1927-November 18, 2008) very much and will always remember him fondly.

Today, I also had my latest conference call with my dissertation chair. As long as I keep making progress and stay on track, I may be able to move forward in the upcoming year: proposal, methods, results, defense left… To become Dr. D.

My Latest Days of THANKS

Day 14: I’m THANKful for the Typhoon Haiyan / Typhoon Yolanda survivors and relief efforts

Day 15: I’m THANKful for my Lil’ Orphan ANNIE on our 4th Annie-versary

Lil’ Orphan ANNIE’s 1st Snow on CHRISTmas

Day 16: I’m THANKful for my Rant Sports team, whose Facebook pages, including mine, I encourage you to “like” for updates

• Elaine Dispo’s Ball Calls & Hoop Scoops
• Chris Gamble’s NFL & MLB Rants
• Kris Hughes, Senior Ranter
• Courtney Harden’s Chicago Bulls Hoop Scoops
• Candice Connell’s Chicago Bulls Hoop Scoops
• Michael Pidgeon’s SA Spurs Hoop Scoops

Day 17: I’m THANKful for my first day “off” this month, in which I took off from writing for work to attend Sunday mass, then had brunch with Ate and watched The Best Man Holiday, plus hit the track (my only form of “work” was to “workout”) with Ate, Jade and Dax!

Dax’s & my scenic route w/sunshine view

Day 18: I’m THANKful for my Papa Ped on his 5th Anniversary and my good friend/fellow USAF military brat, Nora, on her Birthday

Papa Ped, Mama Eufemia, Papa Jun, Joanne & me

On lighter notes, I watched and thoroughly enjoyed The Best Man Holiday this past weekend, and here are my latest Pretty Fit and Rant Sports posts:

Pretty Fit Elaine

Man Day Monday

Dispo College Hoop Scoops 

Miami Since Shane Storm

Dispo Hoop Scoops

• Matrix’s Demand for D
• Nowellis During Reg Season
• Mavericks Take Miami 
• Larkin’s Dallas Debut Delayed

1:11 ~ make a wish!!!

More Thanks + Hoop Scoops & Ball Calls

Happy Hump Day!

In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, my family and agreed not to exchange CHRISTmas presents this year, as we have enough to be grateful for. The people who I will give something to are the children who I sponsor: the girl who my sister found for me in the Philippines through Christian Foundation of Children and Aging and the girl who I picked from my Church’s Angel Tree. You also have the opportunity to contribute to the relief from this devastation: World Food Programme…

Bearing this in mind, here are my latest Days of THANKS:

Day 12: I’m THANKful for GOD’s calling and gifts, in particular for my service to the Church, where I’ll put my public speaking skills and voice to good use again, as a lector at mass (previously used to sing in the choir/music ministry and teaching speech at the college level)

Day 13: I’m THANKful for good health, so I spread the wealth in my wellness articles and  contributions to the Pretty Fit app and blog 

Speaking of my blog, here are my latest Rant posts:

Elaine Dispo’s Hoop Scoops – Mavs

• Monta Ellis Revenge in Milwaukee
• Mavs’ 1 @ Home, More on the Road
• Dirk’s No. 16 of NBA All-Time Scorers
• DeJuan Blair, Better off with Mavs

Elaine Dispo’s Ball Calls – Dallas Cowboys

• Saints & Drew Brees Breeze through Cowboys

3:33 ~ make a wish!!!

Veterans’ Salute, Typhoon Blues + More Bits & Pieces for You…

Happy Veterans’ Day!

In the spirit of THANKSgiving, here are my most recent Days of Gratitude…

Day 7: I’m THANKful for good company, including Auntie Mary & Uncle Ken, who Auntie Tina & I visited today (Thursday, 11/7)

Day 8: I’m THANKful for the animals in my life, especially my Double A-Team ~ Asia & Annie (whose 4-year anniversary is on the 15th) + my sister Joanne’s Yorkie Coco + my Ate Roxy’s K9s Jade & Dax + the Gunns’ dogs Sweet Pea, Minx & Blackie

Day 9: I’m THANKful for good leadership – which I’m studying for my Ph.D. – including the inspiration behind my research, Coach K, who I wrote about in my Dispo College Hoops Scoops debut (below)

Day 10: I’m THANKful for  mi cuñada, Janet, who was my best friend when I lived in the Valley, and whose children are mis sobrinitos, with her son, Justin, being the closest to a son I’ve ever had

Day 11:  I’m THANKful for our military on this Veterans Day, which I elaborate as follows…

The military in my life who I honor on Veterans Day, Military Appreciation Day and everyday in between include:

* my great-uncle Terry, who retired from the United States Navy

My fave Sailor Man

* my dad, who retired from the United States Air Force over two decades ago

Dispo Airmen

Jeryl, USAF

* my cousin, Jeryl, who just graduated from USAF Basic Training school

Military Salute

Dad, Cuz & Bro

* my brother-in-law, Ryan, who served in the United States Marine Corps
* “lil’ bro” Eric, Ryan’s brother, who is serving in the USAF
* my best friend, Melody, from the United States Army who may train to become an Officer now that she has her Bachelor’s degree

I also wrote a tribute to salute another veteran who I admire, whose leadership inspired my own research for my dissertation about coaches and student-athletes: Duke Blue Devils head basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, who served in the Army. Bearing this in mind, here are my latest Dispo Hoop Scoops

Dispo College Hoops Scoops
* Debut: Coach K, Basketball & Life Leader

Dispo NBA Hoop Scoops
* Mavs to Strike Lightning at Thunder
* Kevin Durant Has D Best Role Model
* Vince Carter Mans Up to Ejection
* DeJuan Blair Should Start as Center
* JJ Barea Reunion at Minnesota

Also, here are my Pretty Fit posts:
Pretty Fit Elaine D
* Thursday Tips
* Friday Thigh Day
* Saturday Stress Relief

Let us pray for those who were affected by Typhoon Haiyan that just hit my native country, the Philippines. I reached out to my relatives who live there to find out whether they’re safe and sound, so thank GOD for the ones who responded to me with the affirmative!

This throwback pic depicts my homesickness for the Philippines and my former home en el Valle, the Rio Grande Valley, that is. My former student/fellow Filipino snapped this shot as I also was camera-happy at our Filipiniana gala, where I covered the story for Fil-Am Press.

¡Feliz Cumplé a mi Cuñada en el Valle hoy!

11:11 ~ make a wish!!!