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!

Mixer Monday: Mojito Madness

Minty!

To ring in recent birthdays, I was all about ordering up mojitos!

Passionfruit Mojito topped with Cocktail Fruit from La Canela Peruvian Restaurant

1. First, to celebrate my Tita Fe‘s birthday, I had this Passionfruit Mojito at the Peruvian restaurant ~ thanks to my cousin & her hubby!
2. Then I enjoyed a refreshing Frozen Blueberry Mojito at my own Bday Brunch from Miguel’s Mex Tex Café (Mex intentionally before Tex)!
3. Most recently, I toasted to my cousin’s birthday with this Twisted Madre Mango Margarita ~ another special from Miguel’s Agave Bar!

Twisted Madre: Frozen Margarita swirled with Mango Flavor topped with Lime and dressed with Chile Salt on the Sim from Miguel’s Mex Tex Café

S is for …

• Sip On
• ¡Salud!

Freebie for my Bday: Mocha Coconut Hazelnut Frappé

More Sweet Treats … this time without spirits:

Bday Frappé Run: Fun in the ☼Sun☼ as I stay cool at school #DISPObustAFlow #Frappuccino

Starbucks Birthday Rewards

My Next Bday Freebie: Blackberries & Creme make you scream!

1. First, from my research university before my BiG #-#: Hazelnut topped with Coconut
2. Next, from our busiest local coffee shop: the new Blackberries & Creme Frappuccino

Blessed with Rest (sort of) on my Bday … Real quick before I get back into it!

Mixer Monday: Beach Brain Break

Once I kicked👟 my dissertation📖 work into high gear transitioning from July into August, I’ve actually resisted turning away from my work💼 after several-hours⌚️ worth of “shifts” lately!

🎓Scholar Mode = In-the-Zone🌟

But to prevent myself from 🍳frying⚡️ my 💡brain💭 from dozens of hours⏰ in front of my 💻computer ~ executing💥 my challenges while exercising my 💪🏽strengths:

• Running statistics📉
• Writing up my results📈 and
• Formatting my 📊charts, plus➕
• Proofreading my paper📜 ~ basically
• Putting my 💖heart💝 and soul into it

I had to ❤️break💔 away for a bit …

Especially since last night offered my 🌼summer🌻 📺shows!

Complete combo with this 🚢Captain’s⚓️ 🍹cocktail🍸

Beachy Scene: I call this bad boy my Myrtle Beach Iced Tea (as opposed to Long Island) that calls for Arnold Palmer (tea & lemonade named for the golfer) spiked w/your spirit(s) of choice ~ mine was Midori for melon flavor and green color ~ + a cherry on top … Or to sink this ship! 🌊🌴🍹🍋🍈🍒⚓️🚢

That can be served ❄️chilled🍧 and 🍉chunky🍌

Peachy Keen: Other fruit to add to the mix (sweet if they swim in the drink while you sip): peaches * pineapple * strawberries 🍑🍍🍓🍒🍹

🍺Cheers🍻 to this 😅chillaxation😜 session! Staycation –> 😲Vacay😵 😴Getaway💤

For those of you who have enough budgeted💸 ⌛️time⏳ and 💸💰money, try my Top 5 🌞Summer🌅 🌊Vacation🌴 ideas!

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!

Mixer Monday: HOLYday Spirits

Oh yes, victory is sweet…

Toasting to a #Cowboys 🌠 #TD! 🏉 Finally making it red & green Edwin! 🍹 C’mon #DallasCowboys 🎆 to pull a win! 🎇 #Midori 🍸 + #VirginBeer 🍻 = #Cheer 📢 #HOLYdaySpirits 🎅 #HOLYdaySpirit 🎄 #TeamSpirit 📢 #DeMarcoMurray 🏈 #HipHipHooray 🌟 #DISPObustAFlow 🎤 #DISPOsAlwaysFly 👊

CHEERS to the *Dallas Cowboys* for advancing in the NFL playoffs!

Here’s to you, Stuart Scott! R.I.P. ✌️

Thirsty Thursday: JESUS Juice

CHEERS to Thirsty Thursday Here’s my recipe for this wine that simply stands the test of time and is prime for the holy grail as the top drink to hail from the high Heavens!

JESUS Juice (not the beverage that MJ supposedly served his Never Neverland Ranch visitors):
* unlimited shots of light from the best spirit ever: the Holy Spirit because the best shot is lit-up
* splashes of kindness, mercy patience, forgiveness and understanding
* doses of compassion and suffering, as you toast humbly to others
* overflowing cup of hope, faith and more parts LOVE
* garnish with the gifts with which GOD has given us to bless the world

This is best served…
* shaken, not stirred ~ because during the process, my faith remains never wavered
* warmed, not chilled ~ because the LORD for whom this drink is named embraces those who drink His blood

If you wish to add other flavor to the mix, my favorites include:
* Matthew 6:33
* Philippians 4:13
* John 3:16

DON’T worry about drunkenness or stumbling and staggering because these ingredients are intended to strengthen and sober you up for the LORD, JESUS CHRIST, to lead you to His way, even in times of darkness. Turn to Him during your troubles, instead of to the bottle of temptation.

#PTL (according to Father Bush of my Parish) means:
* Praise the Lord
* Pray through LENT
~*~ AMEN ~*~

More Discoveries from Rediscovering Catholicism

Chapter 7, entitled “The #Path Is Well #Trodden, clarifies that #Catholics don’t #worship the #saints; we #follow in their #example of #holy #humans & #imitate the #likeness of #GOD … First #discipline through this #practice –> #genius! 🙏📖💒💖

Interesting timing: I read 3 different pieces that referred to a #blind man today:
1. #John9 (#Jesus #heals) in today’s #Gospel at #Mass
2. Chapter 8 called “Even a #BlindMan Knows …” (about our #Church’s #heroes) in #RediscoverCatholicism
3. “Savoring the #Sweetness of #Life” (loss of sight but not of might)
in #ChickenSoupForTheSoul #ThinkPositive
I see this to mean that I received a #sign from #GOD: even without #sight, follow the #HolySpirit’s #light! There is #beauty in #everything. ⏰🙏📖💒👓➕🔆💐

Chapter 9, “What Sets Them Apart,” reinforces that the keys to being #extraordinary are to have a singleness of #purpose & to #habits that will #achieve that #goal. Being #central to #holiness means to #trust in #GOD + to render #tender #love to Him & His #creations. #Light the #candle & take a #humble #walk w/the #LORD! Now I know that I’m doing #right & #just things when I #choose Him & #activities that support my #goals over meaningless things that deter me away! 🙏🔆👣☝️

Chapter 10, “Their #Attraction and #Influence,” refers to #true #friends as those who #challenge • #inspire • #encourage • #LiveLifeToTheFullest make us want to be #better ~ which are among the #leadership #measures of the #ExemplaryLeadership #practices from the #LeadershipPractices #Inventory that I’m using for my #doctoral #dissertation (#ChallengeTheProcess • #InspireASharedVision #EncourageTheHeart • #ModelTheWay • #EnableOthersToAct) ~ so a #friend indeed can #lead if we #strive for #greatness from their #example • #energy • #invigoration! #LeadMeLord! 🙏👏👆

Chapter 11, “Who Will Be Next?” conveys to me that #martyrs didn’t just #die for they #faith, they did #live for what they did #believe in. We’re not born as #saints, but we can #strive for #holiness so the #Church can #thrive. #Leaders are most #influential • #inspirational • #persuasive through #storytelling, so let’s be #champions of #change by sharing w/ future #generations about our #history’s #heroes to #empower us as #GOD’s #people w/ a #purpose according to His #plan. 👆✌️👊👏🙏💖💒

What do #MichaelJordan & #TigerWoods have in common w/ #Catholicism & #Christianity? These #athletes addressed their #weaknesses to #transform their into #strengths, which we can do for our #faith! I practiced this today by identifying what I can improve on at work: angled shots in my #photography)! ~ from Chapter 12, called #Confession 🙏📖💒🏀⛳️🏆📷👶💪

‘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!!!