Beauty Tuesday: Tacky Sweaters Still in Season

Happy Three Kings tomorrow! / ¡Feliz Tres Reyes mañana!

Since CHRISTmas still is in session, I still

• watch HOLYday movies
• keep the halls decked
• turn on the festive lights
• sport those “ugly sweaters“

Showing HOLYday and school spirit! CHEERS =D

How do you spread the cheer this New Year?

CATch of the New Year: Sweet Annie lights up the room!

Throwback Thirsty Thursday: Call to the Poor

My first order of business as Dr. Dispo:

Give to the poor.

This is GOD‘s calling, not just to me, but also from our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and my spiritual mentor, Bishop Mike, through Him, to the people.

How will you help?

For the past few CHRISTmases, to follow in the example of the blessed birthday celebrant, JESUS, my family and I have contributed to those in need instead of each other. I’ve offered gifts to my Angel Tree children and am donating more to the Salvation Army today after my Holy Hour.

And if we really are poor ~ in health, spirit, or otherwise ~ let us seek the LORD for strength to overcome.

Prayers of …

• ♥Adoration♥ for strength in faith
• Contrition for weaknesses
• THANKSgiving for everything
• Supplication for GOD’s will

Throwback Thursday: This JUST-IN … My fave ✌CHRISTmas✌ memory was when my lil’ nephew ~ him decked out in *Dallas Cowboys* Santa hat & yours truly in *Dallas Mavericks* ~ helped me decorate the natural tree that I picked up & actually kept up ’til past ♣St. Patty’s♣ (while also decorating it for more ☼cheer☼ through ☼New Year’s, ♥Valentine’s, ♠Mardi Gras, ♣St. P’s & †Easter)!

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

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

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!

My next anticipated title this Advent: Tita 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 …

Dallas Cowboys * Dissertation 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 …

Mini Milestones: Feline Friday & Study Saturday

• Thursday marked exactly one month until my well-anticipated graduation with my Doctor of Philosophy!
• The other day, I had my cat in my left hand, and my mouse in my right hand as I worked on my dissertation!
• Yesterday marked my ½way point between starting my faculty defense and my public final reveal (12/8)!

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

Manic Movie Musical Monday: More to Life than Me

Peace✌ to Paris

Trivial problems in our own lives don’t compare to world issues such as this traumatic terrorist act.

Therefore, tuning into Ryan Higa‘s First World Problems puts our own woes into a fresh perspective:

Original (2012) — *NEW* iPhone 5 

More Recent (2014) — NON-iPhone 5 compatible

Speaking of terrorist acts, we also live in a time when natural disasters draw our attention to devastating death tolls from either, leaving us with uncertain times.

San Andreas shows us the measures that we may take by human nature to save our ♥loved♥ ones and survive.

MCM (Man Crush Monday): Dwayne Johnson *stars*

Another Action-Packed Adventurous San Andreas Trailer

This was an excellent flick pick for Movie Night at home with the fam ~ especially since it showcased family!

I certainly needed some down time (even bypassing party and Fight Night invites) after my faculty defense!

With the HOLYdays around the corner plus after a productive day of grading speeches and practicing my own presentation …

♪Chestnuts Roasting on an Open-Fire♫ = exactly what this soon-to-be Doctor ordered!

Foto Friday: Cam ♥Loves♥ Canines

Since today’s snow day reminds me of the holidays, how about I show off the dogs who I’ve professionally photographed for season’s greetings?

First, I was fortunate to have two well-behaved French poodles of my doctor friend ~ with Kool-aid smiles!

Prada & Dior: French poodles, designer names ~ flashing their pearly whites

Then, I took (many takes later) my sister‘s family’s card pic, complete with her Yorkshire terrier*!

Coco & the Cooley ♥Clan♥, †CHRISTmas† 2014

Hope that you’re all staying safe & sound + warm & toasty, with your cozy cuddle buddies!

Photography is a sport that I lettered in

* Happy 4th Birthday, COCO, this ☼Sunday☼!

Wrapping Up the 2013 Scene

Merry CHRISTmas and Happy Hanukkah that kicked off yesterday!

Merry TEX-mas, Peace & Joy to Y’all & my Dallas Mavericks

My gifts to y’all who I call Team: Dr. D (for my Ph.D.) are links to my last Pretty Fit posts and Rants of the year!

Elaine the MFFL’s Final 3 of 2013

• Victorious Mavs vs. Grizzles Review

Elaine the Camera-Happy MFFL

• Mavs with Past Raptors Preview
• Mavs’ Last 2013 *Slideshow*

Pretty Fit Elaine’s Thursday Tips 

• Holiday Trips
• Holiday Grub

Now I could make valuable use of this time to work more on my dissertation! Meanwhile, here are my Season’s Greetings for 2013, so enjoy!

Season’s Greetings!

2013 in Review

3:33 ~ make a wish!!! 

‘Tis the Season of GIVING

Merry One Week Until CHRISTmas, Everybody! May GOD Bless Us Everyone!

In the spirit of this ADVENT Season, when we prepare for the birth of JESUS, who gave EVERYTHING, including His own life, let us remember the Reason for the Season. Let us spread HOLYday cheer by giving.

One way we can give is through generosity to strangers, our neighbors, our fellow man. To honor my sister — who I’m proud to share has graduated with her Master of Science degree in Nursing and now works as a Nurse Practitioner for Psychiatry/Mental Health — on her birthday and my parents on their anniversary, I donated to the Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan relief through the American Red Cross.

Here are my past dozen Dispo Hoop Scoops on the Dallas Mavericks:

• Will B-Dub Face Former Team GS Warriors?
• Monta Must Step Up When Mavs Battle Warriors
• Mavs Have Close Call Clutch vs. Warriors
• Mavs Can’t Settle for Less, Stay Stuck in a Rut
• Monta Much Better Mav than Bucks’ Mayo
• Dirk & Rick’s Absence Still Didn’t Stop Mavs
• B-Dub Leads Team in Season Debut vs. Bucks
• Welcome Back, Dirk & Rick from Being Sick
• Sam Is Slammed but Remains Good Sport
• Mavs Moving Forward on Front Court
• Devin’s Delay in Coming Back to Play
• Mavs Return from R&R to Host Grizzlies

Here are my Pretty Fit posts, chockful of Yours Truly’s recipes and workouts:

Tacky Sweater by Adam Levine

• What I Ate Wednesday Debut

Christmas Cat Cookies by Yours Truly

Pretty Fit E on VDay

• Thirsty Thursday Holiday Cocktails

Pretty Fit E on NYE

Crock Pot Chili by Yours Truly

• What I Ate Wednesday Chili Day

Fro-Yo YOLO fo’sho’

As we celebrate this Season of Giving, I try not to surrender to the commercialization of CHRISTmas. Since my family and I are grateful for what we already have and won’t exchange gifts this year, I shall share with those who are in need. I started with my Angel Tree child who I chose from church and will continue with my Christian Foundation for Children and Aging sponsored child.

Some of the things that I thank GOD for are His will, grace and guidance, His people ~ including my dear friend and spiritual mentor Bishop Mike who soon will retire, my family whose blood is thicker than water, my bestie Melody who has been with me through thick and thin, my Team Dr. D for my Ph.D. ~ His creatures who are my loves ~ especially my Double A-Team ~ and great opportunities, such as hearing His calling for me to proclaim His word at Mass. For my sis and her hubby, both Mr. & Mrs. Cooley graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington this past weekend, and I could not have been prouder of Joanne’s MSN (UTA’s College of Nursing had the most thorough Graduation Commencement that I’ve ever attended — I was extremely impressed that each of the graduates’ dissertation, thesis or honors research titles and/or jobs were called out, along with their names, as they walked across the stage) and her husband/my “bro” Ryan’s Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science/Kinesiology, Summa Cum Laude (“with highest honors”).

As we wrap up 2013 ~ which I did deem as the Year to Follow Our Dreams ~ I pursue 2014 ~ which I call the Year of Courting ~ as the time to come closer to completing my doctoral degree at Our Lady of the Lake University. During my prayers about progressing through my dissertation, I listened to GOD’s message to me about making a difference in my research. Bearing in mind that my study is about coaching, I indeed hope that I somehow can change how coaches influence their players: not necessarily to just seek winning in their sports, but being champions as people.

11:11 ~ make a wish!!! 

It’s Been Blessed!

The CHRISTmas Countdown is here, as the New Year draws near, so it’s time to CHEER!

I’m delighted to report that my dissertation committee blessed my Concept Proposal! We had our first conference call altogether yesterday for this information session about my study. Now all I can do from here is move forward, and as graduates of my program have said: ONWARD…

My research is about the influence of college coaches‘ leadership on their student-athletes’ satisfaction, athletic and academic performance. Some of my inspirations include winning basketball coaches Coach K, Pat Summitt, and Phil Jackson. Here’s to Team: Dr. D in Mission: Ph.D.

Here are my freshest fine 9 Dispo Hoop Scoops:

The MFFL’s Rants (since I was stuck at home during the Snow Days, I was able to crank out these babies)

• Mavs Fly to Victory over Pelicans
• Dirk Is Dallas’ Secret Special Sauce
• Dallas Needs Wright & Harris Back
• Mavs Can Blaze Past Trail Blazers
• Monta Ball Made Magic at Moda Center
• Mark Cuban Holds Grudge Against J-Kidd
• Mavs Can Sack Sac
• Mavs Off Game in Sac
• Mavs Must Beat Warriors in Battle

*Friendly Reminder: Please vote for the NBA All-Stars*

11:11 ~ make a wish!!! 

†R.I.P., Nelson Mandela†

GOD, Family & Football

Happy Advent Season!

As we prepare for JESUS‘ birth, I reflect on THANKSgiving and all of the blessings for which I’m grateful.

One week ago today, many of us around the world celebrated Turkey Day in the spirit of The Best Man Holiday movie theme: GOD, Family and Football.

GOD: First thing that morning, I went to the Adoration Chapel at church because I have my Adoration Hour commitment every Thursday, and I spent extra time there while fellow adorers were out of town for the holyday.
Family: When I got home, I took my CHRISTmas card photos with my Double A-Team and made my festive dessert: Cranberry Walnut Cream Cheese Pie. My best friend, Melody ~ who is like a sister to me ~ and I spent this Day of Thanks with both sides of our families: I went to her parents’ for lunch, and she, her hubby and their children joined my family and me at my parents’ house.
Football: A Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without the traditional Dallas Cowboys game, so we most definitely were THANKful for their victory over the Oakland Raiders!

Here are more of my cheers and toasts of gratitude:

Day 27: I’m THANKful for the #gift of #sight! We who can see, or @ least need corrective #lenses, cannot take this for granted… Although I don’t like to get pics taken w/my #glasses👓 all the time (blame it on the vanity – say it a’int so), I absolutely need them to get around (case in point: last night @ my BFF’s parents’ when I lost track of them while posing for photos). Some of y’all know what I’m talking about that they’re a necessity, an essential, right Tita Tina Gunn? Plus, since I like specific brands, I usually find designer frames for my #specs😎
I’m also THANKful for my good friend & #spiritual #mentor, Bishop Mike, who officiated my #Catholic #Sacraments of First #Communion & #Confirmation + who writes📜 (I’m talking snail mail📬 – not just email📥) me on a regular basis as my main pen✒️ pal!

I’m also THANKful for the children to whom I’m giving this #CHRISTmas because I love kids. Since my family & I – in light of #Typhoon️ #Haiyan / #Yolanda in our native #Philippines – shall sustain our #gratitude & not exchange #gifts this year for once, I’ll focus my #generosity on my #AngelTree child & my #CFCAsponsored child.

Day 28: I’m #THANKful for #GOD #Family #Football especially my #DallasCowboyswho always play on #TurkeyDay! I’ll also #THANK those who know which #filmrefers to #GODFamilyFootball for your #movie knowledge. I #kickoff this#THANKSgiving with my special #AdorationHour + extra time!

I’m THANKful my BFF Sgt. Melody Givan who’s been there for yours truly through the#ThickAndThin + who I’ve been fortunate to celebrate THANKsgiving w/ when we grew up & when I visited her in Georgia! She’s the culinary arts mastermind, & while I didn’t know my way around the kitchen before, she sent me my Crock Pot for#CHRISTmas!

#ThrowbackThursday #TBT: my bestie Mely & I didn’t plan for our Turkey Day getup to match when I flew to her family’s home for the #HOLYday, but#2GreatMindsThinkAlike as we both bought these sweaters from #EXPRESSseparately!

*Bearing this in mind, here are the pics of Melody and yours truly from THANKSgiving ’09 (above) and THANKSgiving ’13 (below)* Girl time was definitely what I needed last week because most of my friends are guys, so I was glad to spend yet another Thanksgiving with Melo until she and her fam drove their beautiful Beamer back to Georgia…

Meanwhile, more blessings for which I’m grateful include my dissertation progress and my career opportunities! Yesterday, I had a conference call with my dissertation chair, who arranged for me to present the concept proposal of my study to my dissertation committee next week! Also, through Rant Sports and Pretty Fit, I like reaching out to fellow sports fans and health buffs!

Here are my first 6 about the Dallas Mavericks this December:

• Mavs’ November Blues
• Mavs’ December Needs
• Mavs West Coast-Bound
• Mavs Can Cat-Handle Bobcats
• Mavs Did Cat-Handle Bobcats
• Mavs Can Take on Pelicans

While I write this, we have another snow storm in the forecast. In the holyday spirit, I’m playing Elf (my favorite Christmas movie of all time) and printing my season’s greetings!

Let me wrap up this positive post with more bright notes:

GOD Bless Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy †

♥ Love Always, Jun Bandonill Dispo (Batch 1970) and Family
Jun Dispo, Retired United States Air Force * Estrella Dispo, Retired Registered Nurse * Elaine Dispo, Ph.D. Candidate * Joanne Dispo, Nurse Practitioner * Ryan Cooley, United States Marine Corps Veteran

From left to right: Jacinto Dispo, Lolita Tan Dispo, Joseph del Rosario, Carmelita Dispo del Rosario, Elaine Joyce Dispo, Estrella Reyes Dispo, Christian Joseph del Rosario, Joanne Dispo Cooley, David Ryan Cooley, Jun Bandonill Dispo, Lyndah Baterina Dispo, Manuel Dispo, Madalyn Dispo-Junio, Crystal Gail Dispo

Happy Anniversary to my Parents!!

#ThrowbackThursday #TBT: Happy #Anniversary, Nanay & Dad (yesterday)  

Looking @ my parents’ #wedding album, I admire how they went all out & appreciate the value of their #Catholic #sacrament!

Yet aside from their amazing wedding, they’ve invested #energy & #sacrifice into their decades of #marriage, which is what matters most in the #LongHaul!

Their secret: sharing #time #together, including #timeless #traditions (i.e., Taco Tuesday)

& now they have their Golden Years to enjoy w/each other, so may they stay#blessed with many more to come!

[from L-R: my Aunties Alice Dispo* (my great-aunt/Uncle Bal’s wife) & Dr. Fe Reyes-Dollete** (my aunt/mom’s sister), Mama Eufemia Dispo*** (my paternal grandmother/dad’s mom), Mr. & Mrs. Jun B. Dispo (my parents as #newlyweds), Papa Pedro Dispo*** (my paternal grandfather)]

*Dr. & Mrs. Baltazar Dispo (Uncle Bal is Papa Ped’s baby brother) ~ another excellent example of #commitment in marriage & to the Catholic #faith ~ were my parents’ Principal Sponsors/GODparents/Ninong & Ninang/Padrino y Madrina️

**Drs. Rodolfo & Fe Dollete also are #RoleModels as a #married #couple because they keep the spice alive by ballroom dancing & traveling + enjoy #working together 

***Both sets of my grandparents lived long enough to celebrate their#GoldenAnniversary & beyond: my maternal Lolo Tico & Lola Rosa were married for 56 years, + my paternal Papa Ped & Mama Eufemia were married for almost 61 years 

Guess which decade my parents tied the knot ~ the #bridesmaid‘s #bonnet may be an indicator…

1:11 ~ make a wish!!!  

†R.I.P., Paul Walker†