Motivational Monday: President’s Day Edition ~ The Great Communicator

Happy President’s Day!

Here’s a tribute to my personal favorite Commander-in-Chief, Ronald Reagan, whose 105th birthday would’ve been earlier this month ~ as well as to the Challenger Crew, whose crash took place just over three decades ago …

References to The Great Communicator:

• History. (n. d.). Ronald Reagan videos: The great communicator. History. Retrieved from —http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/ronald-reagan/videos/the-great-communicator
• Khachigan, K. (2011). What made Ronald Reagan the great communicator. The Orange Country Register. Retrieved from —http://www.ocregister.com/articles/reagan-287119-great-dollar.html
• Kline, R. D. (Producer & Director). (2011). Ronald Reagan: An American journey [Motion picture]. Chatsworth, CA: Enduring Freedom Productions. {photo above}
• O’Reilly, B., & Dugard, M. (2015). Killing Reagan. New York: Henry Holt & Co.
• Wright, J. (2006, Aug. 7). Tribute to Ronald Reagan. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/h8_G-mlKxTY {video above}

 R.I.P. ✌ also to my Lolo Tico (February 10, 1909-August 26, 1996) on his birthday and his 20th anniversary this year.

Festive Foodie Friday: CHRISTmas Smiles, Family-Style

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 …

Who needs CHRISTmas presents when I have their presence?

Non-Manic Motivational Monday: Labor of Love

Soon-to-be Bday Grrrl Sweet Annie to me: ♫Baby, I’ma be your Motivation♫ (Kelly Rowland’s ♪song)

Happy Labor Day!

Bestie Evie‘s bday advice: Start & end everyday by remembering 10 blessings!

I devoted all weekend long (including today ~ and still going) on my dissertation: my Labor of ♥Love♥ … My goal is to finish writing my draft today and prepare my defense!

I luckily found a blank page in my stats book to jot down these blessings ~ I’m guaranteed to glance at them every single day since I study it anyway!

Thank GOD I have Grad Cat & Stats Cat to keep me company as moral support!

Purrfect Moment to Paws: Stats Cat‘s where it’s at! #QTwithMyQT #PawsitiveCatitude

Here’s more stats comic relief… As I analyzed more results on the relationships between my research variables, I thought about the series of three numbers that I report in terms of body measurements.

Exhibit A

Foodie Friday: Small & Sweet Fortunes

Big things come in small packages.

Mini Frappuccino in the *Starbucks$ Coffee House! S’mores, please!

Life is like a box of chocolates … You never know what you’re gonna get.

~ Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks as the title character)

Celebrate everyday!

Live in the ☼moment☼

In any ♣season♣

Cherish yourself ~ YOU’re a treasure! 👑

Life’s sweeter with ♥loved ones♥ …

… ♪music♫ …

… & literature …

… + chocolate!

Keep the party going!

And most of all: spread those good vibes!

  

Sharing = Caring!

for my Bestie + yours truly & my family!

Feline Friday: February = National Pet Dental Health Month

🐶Mad-dogging🐾 and 😸Cat-cheesing😸

Flashback Friday: *ASIA* back ‘n ’09 as always lookin’ fine before we added *ANNIE* to this fam of felines!

Don’t we pet parents want our fun, fine, furry, all-weather friends to have overall good health? That includes our animals’ smile ~ good dental hygiene can prevent long-term adverse health effects. We can’t just chill on their grill!

Bright-eyed & Bushy-Tailed: Sweet *ANNIE* willing to help put up groceries while BiG SiS *ASIA* hangs on the fridge ^_including aforementioned throwback_^

Every week, I give my felines fluoride treatment to prevent plaque. Plus, they have their toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental treats. Yesterday, I took my little one to her appointment.

BEFORE … Braving the snow: Onto ANNIE‘s dental appointment we go! #DISPObustAFlow

Grin and bare it!

AFTER … Ice = NICE! Lickety Split!

After Annie‘s surgery, she savored her ice cubes to consume water slowly.

My cats have flouride every ☼Sunday☼ and Oravet every Thursday

She has her course of antibiotics, along with her and Big Sis Asia‘s regular dental care!

Annie has a pawsitive attitude!

Following her operation, I’ve monitored her closely.

I reward Annie at the window for being a good sport with Peter Cottontail the Tooth Bunny!

At least today was yet another snow day, so I could stay home to make sure that my snow cat‘s A-OK!

Annie the Fancy Feline is ready to dine!

Today also was Meatless Friday, so she had a special meal!

The purrfect moment: sipping on her soup!

For the first time since her surgery, I felt and heard her purr!

Movie Monday: MLK Day ~ The Secret

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Davy ~ my good buddy and American hero (from the U.S. Army with his Purple ♥Heart♥) ~ strongly recommended The Secret to me because it has served as a source of inspiration for him. On this MLK Day, my last Monday off before ♣Spring Break♣ and Memorial Day, I made a point to watch it, and Dr. MLK Jr. himself also was featured!

One of the Secrets ~ from Dr. MLK Jr. himself

I won’t give too much more away about this movie because I want you all to see for yourselves how to succeed and prosper, unless you’ve seen it already, and if that’s the case, then by all means, check it out again! Let’s just say that The Secret further reinforces the approach that I try to take in my own life with a ☼positive perspective☼ and an attitude of gratitude!

✌Peace✌ as we lead lives with ease!

Non-Manic Monday: Perfect Days Come with Positive Perspective

Are there perfect days?

When GOD created the world within a week, those days were good. If we can see His creation in His eyes, we also may consider it as good. Today and this past Saturday were perfect days, and I truly believe that they were that way because I saw them in His eyes and invited Him into my heart and my life.

Asia Close-Up

On Saturday, I enjoyed my time at work, home, and church. On-the-job, I made more progress at work as we wrapped up my last shadowing session in the training progress. Before I got ready to minister at Mass, my highlight at home was when I cracked up while watching The Big Bang Theory and turned back toward Annie, who meowed really loud, like that was her laugh! Then when we celebrated Palm Sunday at church, I participated by doing the Readings, including narrating our Passion of the Lord Gospel that involved our whole congregation. The added bonus was that my Dallas Mavericks ended their NBA regular season with an advancement into the playoffs, and Manny Pacquiao powed another wow against Timothy Bradley!

Annie Close-up

Today, I experienced excellent encounters with everyone: the nursing staff and my patients at work, fellow Adorers at church, and sales people at the mall. At work, I introduced myself to more hospital employees and connected well with the patients, so they were comfortable around me. At the Adoration Chapel, I greeted a family friend during her Adoration Hour and a nice stranger at the garden with the candles. At the mall, I made a quick stop for errands yet struck a brief decent conversation with a couple of the workers. When I got home, I received a delightful delivery from my good friend, Nora, who I’ve known since junior high (2 decades already), a fellow Catholic and USAF brat: her wedding DVD since I didn’t get to attend!

Biscuit Busy

While I’m watching the beautiful video of Nora y Jorge, I caught a couple of cute cat candids! One more note: while some may think that GOD’s will is not our own, I beg to differ; if we make His will our own and not the other way around, then we’re accepting of His way as The way for it to be our way.

Chillax Cat

Thirsty Thursday: Listen to the LORD

Burdens = BLESSINGS

How could that be? you may ask. It’s all about how you approach it. Everything happens for a reason, and what matters is how we handle it. Turn to GOD because He takes care of us!

Wipe away Worry with WORSHIP

At first, I anticipated this week of preparation as overwhelming: getting ready for Holy Week • practicing my readings ~ including narrating the long Gospel ~ for Palm Sunday Mass at Church this weekend • revising my PowerPoint as my proposal defense is the next step in my dissertation • training for my new job. Rather than referring to these priorities as problems, I must remain undaunted by praising the LORD at all times for leading me to this point and seeking the HOLY SPIRIT for guidance to persevere.

Fade away Fear for FAITH

No negativity or fear are allowed here ~ just a positive perspective with the following Ls:

LORD * LOVE * LIVE * LIFE * LEAD * LISTEN

Sometimes, silence is of the essence, so our Heavenly Shepherd deserves our time when we open our eyes, ears, minds, hearts and souls to Him, ready to receive His presence … and His message. Let’s build our relationship with the most important One of all: the LORD JESUS CHRIST, by communicating with Him through prayer. Our prayers aren’t simply to tell and ask Him about our wants and needs; they’re to seek and find out about His will and way for us.

Amend Anxiety, Anguish & Anger into ANSWERS that come only from GOD & be content even when not certain

More Reflections from Rediscovering Catholicism

Now I realize why I may not have turned on my music every time I drive, shower or study lately: I need #silence to #communicate w/ #GOD in order to #listen to Him #speak! ~ #sign from Chapter 13: #Daily #Prayer 🙏👂☝️

Chapter 14 about The #Mass provides me with a #greater #appreciation for all parts of the #Liturgy & the #Eucharist, including my #ministry & #service, my next one being this weekend for #PalmSunday #readings & #Gospel. 💒💖👏

Which do we live by: His #Word or the #world? I encourage you to check out these first two pages of Chapter 15: #TheBible & to make the #Bible your life’s practice for #happiness #comfort #strength! 📖🙏☝️✌️💪😍

Palm Sunday 2014 Readings

† Matthew 21:1-11
† Isaiah 50:4-7
† Philippians 2:6-11
† Matthew 26:14-27:66

Completely confide in CHRIST!!! 🙏☝️👏✌️💒

Draw the #LORD into your #heart & your #soul –> the #true #key to #happiness … Even in times of #uncertainty, #GOD will take #care of #everything! 🙏☝️✌️👏💖💒🔑😍

[from Our Lady of the Lake University‘s Providential Findings ~ Catholic school where I pursue my PhD]

Workout Wednesday: 2014 Pre-Easter Thank GOD Stretch Sesh

With Easter Sunday 10 days away, I encourage us all to take care of our bodies and souls through our relationship with the LORD Almighty by extending our muscles and our gratitude for JESUS CHRIST, who carried the heaviest cross of all.

This is similar to the THANKSgiving Stretches that I suggested on Pretty Fit in spirit of Turkey Day. Yet to keep up with the 2014 workouts, which in this case will be 20 seconds (s) of 14 different stretches with gratitude and a positive attitude.

2014 Easter Extensions (20s each)
1. Inhale: squat with arms and hands raised to thank GOD in Heaven (5s); Exhale: release squat while bringing hands to heart in prayer (5s); repeat
2. Chest: intertwine fingers together with arms straight forward
3. Back: intertwine fingers together with arms straight behind you
4. Right Bicep: bring left hand to right upper arm across chest
5. Left Bicep: bring right hand to left upper arm across chest
6. Right Tricep: bring left hand to right upper arm down back
7. Left Tricep: bring right hand to left upper arm across chest
8. Shins: stand on tippy-toes
9. Calves: stand on ankles
10. Right Hamstring: while standing and bending left knee, extend right leg forward with palms of hands on right thigh; lean on right ankle
11. Left Hamstring: while standing and bending right knee, extend left leg forward with palms of hands on left thigh; lean on left ankle
12. Right Quadricep: while standing on left leg, hold right foot with both knees together
13. Left Quadricep: while standing on right leg, hold left foot with both knees together
14. Butterfly: sit up straight with knees bent and soles of feet together, palms of hands on knees; breathe deeply

BONUSES: Shoulder rolls forward and backward, plus neck rolls clockwise and counterclockwise until your heart is content to get on with your day…

In this case, Hump Day. Happy Hump Day, my Fit & Fine Friends!

Thank you all for stretching with me today!

Study Saturday: Spirit & Soul

Great News:

IRB approved my study for my PhD!

To elaborate, the Institutional Review Board at Our Lady of the Lake University has given me the green light to conduct my doctoral dissertation research. This was my next step up since my committee blessed my Concept Proposal. Now I feel this sense of accomplishment and relief since investing countless hours, that the fruits of my labor are blooming, just like flowers are blossoming from the Spring showers. Of course, I still have more to do from here, yet reaching this point reminds me that I am getting closer to my goal, and that my investment of time and energy to my study is well worth it.

My ultimate goal actually is getting closer to GOD, by following His will and His way. Reaching my PhD can open up my capacity to serve GOD’s people, and in turn, to serve Him first and foremost. Reading Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly has opened up my heart to fulfilling my true purpose. Reflections on my own relationship with the LORD has helped me soak in a positive perspective on all of my other practices in my daily life, because I can center them around Him.

The same applies to my new job as a professional photographer. During my orientation and training process, I have been learning new photography and sales techniques. On one day off from my work site, I’m still studying on my own to know my job and our products. The teacher nature in me has quizzed myself by writing practice exams to do test runs and ensure my knowledge. Addressing issues that call for improvement head-on will build up my progress, and approaching everything positively will lead me to keep preceding on the right path, as my boss showed us this morning!

2:22 ~ make a wish!!!