Festive Foto Foodie Friday ~ New Year’s Edition: G is for …

🎁Gift-Giving Soup🍲

From #TitaElaine’s Kitchen (YES~my newborn niece #GRACEdUsWithHerPresence #CHRISTmasDay!): #FeastOfTheHolyFamily #GiftGivingSoup #SoupItUp #SnowDay #TomatoBisque #BowTiePasta #RibbonNoodles #SpinachCheeseTortellini #LeanRedAndGreen #farfalle #cellentani #tortellini #tomato #basil #garlic #oregano #StuffedPasta #spinach #parmesan #ricotta #romano #CHRISTmasMiracle #CHRISTmasBlessing #FestiveFoodie #GoMAVS #GoCOWBOYS #NFLSunday 🌠🎆🎇🎅🏽🎄🎁💝👶🏻👧🏻❄️☃⛄️🏀🏈🏉🏆🍽🍴🍝🍅

🏈Game Grub🏉

#MilitaryBowlOfChiliMac #GoNAVY #NavyBeans #MacNCheese #SnowDay #GameDay #CollegeFootball #MilitaryBowl #PITTvsNAVY #GameGrub #FestiveFoodie #CountdownToMNF #MondayNightFootball #MNF #ComfortFood #ChiliMac #chili #macaroni #mac #TitaElaine’s Kitchen’s where it’s @ #MilitaryBowlOfNAVYchiliMac #football #touchdown #score #CanIHaveSomeMore #DontchaKnowFoShow #StayingHomeInTheSnow #LetItSnow #snow #DISPObustAFlow ⛴⚓️🍲🏈🏉🏆🏅👊🏽👌🏽🙌🏽

😇Glorious Goulash🌽

#WrappingUp2015SouthwesternStyle #BowTiePasta #tomato #BlackBeans #corn #GreenBellPepper #RedBellPepper #southwestern #farfalle #goulash #stew #chili #SoupItUp #soup #TitaElaine’s Kitchen #FestiveFoodie #SnowDay #NewYears #NewYearsEve #HappyNewYear #NYE #HappyNew2016 #savory #hearty #healthy 💝🎀🍝🍅🌽🌶🍲❄️☃⛄️

🍮Gooey Goodness🐿

Festive Foodies from CHRISTmases Past

• 2014 Sweet Treats: S’mores Hot Cocoa Pie & Salted Caramel Pecan Parfait 
• 2013 High Cs: Snow Cat Cookies & Crock Pot Chili + Cranberry Walnut Pie

🎓Grad Greetings & Good News

👶🏻Grace ~ my newborn niece👧🏻

☝🏽️GOD has blessed us with this best 🎇CHRISTmas🎄 🎅🏽gift💝 who shares her 🎊birthday🎉 with JESUS✌🏽

Happy New 🎆2016🎇 ~ the Jubilee Year of Mercy!

Study Saturday: The Show Must Go On…

Happy One-Week Anniversary of my Doc Grad!

This is where I reminisce about GOD’s plan.

When I thought that things were going wrong just because they didn’t go my way, it turned out that everything fell into place perfectly:

My Intent	What Went Wrong	GOD’s Perfect Plan
To wear my medal at my public dissertation defense and graduation	I couldn’t find it where I thought that I stored it … or anywhere else	Bishop Mike blessed me before my dissertation defense and gave me the Pope Francis rosary
To have my professors sign my dissertation with our dissertation signature pen	I misplaced it from the special spot where I set it aside for the past few years	Brought the “I Thank GOD for You” pen that Sister Jyothi gave us Religious Education teachers
To film my public dissertation defense with the tripod from Bestie Evie	Despite deleting Fast and Furious from my 128GB iPhone 6 plus, I still ran out of storage space as I presented results for my 15th out of 17 null hypothesis	Lessons learned: don’t consume too much memory on my devices or include so many variables in my research – but at least I recorded the majority
To walk across the stage without falling flat on my face – while wearing my cowboy boots instead of stilettos (like my high heels at my previous graduations)	I faced my school President while my dissertation chair hooded me instead of the crowd like the rest of the doctoral candidates	Bestie Evie pointed out that she noticed how I did the sign of the cross before I walked across the stage – which showed  that I put GOD first
To reserve the restaurant for my luncheon 3h after my graduation start time	Car accident on the major incident delayed our graduation procession, and major traffic jam getting out of parking lot delayed my reception	Time to catch up with my dad’s fellow Filipino Catholic USAF buddy with whom he was stationed in Germany and his wife (so we didn’t join impatient drivers and passengers) – shared stories

Thanks: GOD, my parents, my bestie Evie & her family, Drs. D & C-B, my colleagues + Team Dr. D for sticking w/me through my PhD journey! Scored this goal, now onto my next role #TitaElaine #MiniCOOLEYonTheWay #AnydayThisHOLYday #DISPObustAFlow #DrDISPObustAFlow #DISPO #TeamDrDISPO #TeamDrD #DrD #PhD #DoctorOfPhilosophy #3rdDegree (3 stripes) #OurLadyOfTheLakeUniversity #OurLadyOfTheLake #TheLake #OLLUSaints #Saints #WingsUp #PTL #PraiseTheLORD #PreciousTreasureLady #PrettyToughLady #WhatAWayToWrapUp2015 #YearOfFinishing #appreciate #graduate #celebrate #cheers #salud #GODblessUsEveryone ☝🏽️✌🏽🙏🏽👐🏽💒🏤⛲️🎓🎤🏅🏆🏈🏀⚾️🎾⚽️⛳️✨💫🌠🎇🎆🍾🍹🍷🍸🍻🍝🍨🍮

¡Gracias a Díos!

Beauty Tuesday: May My Teeth Be Merry and Bright

Happy Big Day to yours truly!

The time has arrived: I’m defending my dissertation this afternoon after my anticipated blessing from Bishop Mike.

While it’s still surreal until I actually achieve this vision, I’ve planned everything in advance down to the details of my appearance …

After all: fail to plan, plan to fail ~ to no avail!

• I prepared what to wear several months ago: dress, check√ * jewelry, more jewelry and accessories, check√ * shoes, check√ (something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue)
• I started practicing my presentation a couple of months ago … as well as my makeup and hair style (beauty rehearsal)
• I wrote my pre-defense prayer and post-defense acknowledgements over a month ago (vows)
• I got fresh spa treatment with nails done and brows shaped the weekend before (pampering)
• I started more extensive over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments the week prior (necessity)

That way, my smile will glow, and the coffee stains won’t show! =D

#DISPObustAFlow 

Motivational Monday: Non-Trick Treats

We can’t go wrong with positive reinforcement …

Childhood Examples

• behaving all year long –> CHRISTmas gifts from “Santa”
• pulling out your baby teeth –> chunk change from the “Tooth Fairy”
• asking “Trick or Treat?” politely –> candy and other goodies (such as Bible verses or prayer cards)
• reading x# of pages or books –> “Book It” (now “Accelerated Reader”) points and prizes ~ like a personal pan pizza from the Hut

Lately, rewarding myself helps ease the toughness of a rigorous project!

Adult Examples

• with my wider budget: *Dallas Cowboys* games toward the end of the season after the fall semester
• with my now tighter budget: books and video ~ which I planned to read and watch after I advance

Great timing since I just progressed onto my next series!

• Furious 7 ~ complete with Target exclusive ♫music samples♪
• The Glam Guide ~ by beauty guru and online force Fleur De Force

3:33 ~ make a wish!!! ✌

Go, *Dez Bryant* ~  in his return to the field for NFL ☼Sunday☼ yesterday!

Working Woman’s Wednesday: Dissertation Declutter

Kicking off my first committee defense day: coffee mug for this clutterbug–shutterbug/my cup of joe & carrot cake from the baby shower of my Sis Jo Mama!

Happy National Dessert Day!

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!

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-cluttering / cleaning and clearing up my PowerPoint

That way, I can advance into the next round!

Motivational Manic Monday: Series I, Round I

♫Columbus sailed the ocean blue♪ … which are as deep & true as my Grad Cat‘s baby blues! Here, I’m bringing out those blues with my *NEW* Adam Lippes for Target sweater dress vest ~ my gray go-to playful plaid layering piece this fall!

Happy Columbus Day!

Stats Cat‘s got my back on Columbus Day & always as I rock out my Anchor & Sailor Wheel earrings!

As I prepare for my committee defense, I’m connecting and comparing my upcoming dissertation presentations to playoffs for post-season sports:

• After advancing from my Concept Proposal (Fall 2013) * Proposal Defense (♣Spring♣ 2014) * IRB Approval (Fall 2014) * Research Methods (Fall 2014-☼Summer☼ 2015) * Running Statistics (☼Summer☼ 2015) * Run-Throughs (Fall 2015) …

1. First Series: Committee Defense (for my team of 3 professors) — 2 Rounds anticipated
2. Second Series: Faculty Defense (for my entire conference of professors) — 2-3+ Rounds anticipated
3. Third and Final Championship Series: Public Dissertation Defense to become Doctor (for anybody and everybody) — last Round, a.k.a. the Final Reveal before my well-anticipated graduation

So, who is my competition, you ask?

I could say my faculty of professors, but they’re on my side to succeed, so I’ll have to go with myself on my level of resilience to determine whether I stay and sustain through the game: Yours Truly vs. Yours Truly

I got this! Bring on the determination and confidence!! No thanks to the fear and discouragement!!!

Also, my good family friend, fellow devout Catholic, my ♥Tita Lydia♥ pointed out to me this:

My Doctoral Degree is my Vocation

Study Saturday: Presentation Prep

Who would’ve thought that the advice offered by Belinda Selene in this month’s Seventeen magazine would actually help yours truly (who’s double the title age)?

Belinda Selene also suggests concealer to prime eye shadow ~ which can be used in lieu of eye liner to prevent smudges! | Courtesy Seventeen magazine, October 2015

Indeed, this tip is relevant to ~ not only social media trendsetters with followers, but also ~ anyone who has an audience ~ in particular:

• My speech students, including for their upcoming informative speeches
• Yours truly in my rounds of dissertation defense, starting with committee

Apparently, Jessica Alba must be extremely influential with her following ~ she’s now branded produce! | Courtesy Seventeen magazine, October 2015

Bottom Line: Public Speaking revolves around our Audience, just as Writing revolves around our Readers!

I’ve already been on-point with making this Neutrogena base for my face as my go-to double-function foundation for SPF coverage and acne prevention/protection! | Courtesy Seventeen magazine, October 2015

Beauty Tuesday: Post-Summer Post ~ S is for …

Welcome, September! With school in full swing, I still have ☼summer☼ season on the brain!

☼Sunkissed Summer☼

1. What is your go-to product for a sunkissed summer glow?

natural ☼sunshine: *FREE* Vitamin D!

2. What book would you recommend for a summer read?

Dulce Candy Ruiz‘s The Sweet Life to inspire anyone & Dr. Karen Kelsky‘s The Professor Is In for fellow grad students

Backyard Post-Bday Brunch to bask in ☼sunshine☼ + organize my HK planner & pleasure-read (intended ~ I ended up just working)

 both of which hit bookshelves exactly 4 weeks ago!

3. What’s your signature summer scent this year?

Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Summer Edition (since 2012) ~ I also store Sephora samples in my handbags

4. The sun is shining and it’s time to get outside! What’s your favorite thing to do?

simply bask in the ☼sunshine☼ through ALL of my senses ~ including the smell of fresh air

5. You’re on the boardwalk and starving! What’s your go-to summer beach food?

banana ice cream, paletas (popcycles) or raspas (snow cones) ~ anything frozen treat to beat the heat!

6. What’s your dream summery date?

watch a blockbuster & ☼sun☼ fun run or walk on the beach + chow down

7. After a day in the summer heat, what do you do to cool off?

chillax with my shows + consume cucumber ~ on my eyes & in H2O #DISPObustAFlow

8. How do you wear your hair in the summer?

braids for days

9. What’s your must-have nail polish for summer 2015?

this Tiffany Blue hue

Fitting name for this shade

as Audrey Hepburn tribute

10. What shows do you recommend for summer?

my share of sizzling series: network nighttime dramas + home/real estate reality TV

11. Do you wear liquid foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer in the summer?

occasional base but more powder to offset sweat

12. Sunglasses or Hats?

Exhibit shown below

I tip off this hat & show school team spirit!

I always must sport ~O-O~specs~O-O~ anyway ~ I usually rock my Coach transitional lenses nowadays + still have my Fendi & Gucci frames*

13. What is your summer jam this year?

• ♪Let’s ♫Marvin Gaye♫ & Get It On♪ (not that I’m trying to make love or babies ~ I just like the ♫rhythm♫ & ♪tune♪)

• ♫Locked Away♪ (not that I’m doing anything to get locked up ~ I really dig the ♫beat♪ & ♫Adam Levine‘s ♪singing)

• ♪Bad Blood♫ (so cliche, but I ♥heart♥ the graceful ♫Taylor Swift♪ ~ not to mention that you can’t take the ♪hip hop♫ out of this chick)

14. Do you have a summer bucket list?

mainly to finish my doc docs (paper & PowerPoint to prep to present for dissertation defense) ~ since I’m not completely caught up, my Plan B is to have them done by Labor Day now that Fall is upon us and the BiG Day draws near + added bonus: relatives reunion, check √

15. Bikini, tankini, or one piece? Show us your fave bathing suit this year!

I’ve already built up quite a two-piece collection through the years but wouldn’t mind adding a monokini to the mix ~ my fave of the moment: my VS chevron top & ombré bottom (see No. 5 “paleta” link for sippie selfie in said swimsuit)

16. What’s your favorite sweat proof product?

Banana Boat Baby Faces ☼sunblock

17. If you could create your own ice cream flavor, what would it be?

Champ Hoop Scoop ~ to score an ice cream dreamy combo of my faves:

• Nutella
• caramel
• nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)
• coconut
• pineapple

S also is for …

• Sticking to Schedule

Filled up in August & as we approach September

• Spiritual Supplies including *Star* Hole Punch

Champ Catechesis student’s First Communion reception gift goodies

• This Season’s Shoes & MORE Score ~ especially the A+ collaboration between ALDO & Target (coming to stores on ☼Sunday, September 6th/countdown in 5 days)
• *Specs & ☼Sunglasses now that Drew Barrymore has released her Flower brand exclusively with Walmart ~ some timing as I’m in need for new Rx eyewear!
• Speaking of which, Sofia Vergara glasses & shades are offered at Sears!

$ Therefore, S also is for: Savings $

NO

• ♫Summertime Sadness♫ or
• ♪Wake Me Up When September Ends♪ here!

Study Saturday: PS is for …

Public Speaking

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

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?

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

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!

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!

Study Saturday: Every Moment Counts

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.

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

After our early week Snow Day and before our Snow Weekend

And with †GOD’s† ☼grace☼