Thirsty Thursday: Year of Mercy

Happy New Year’s Eve! 🎆

As the full Year of Mercy draws near, Pope Francis has called us to seek ways to render more kindness to others ~ which is pleasing to the LORD. ☝🏽️

I’ve been praying my daily Rosary and 3 o’clock Divine Mercy with this Pope Francis Rosary from Bishop Mike who blessed me with it on the ☼morning☼ of my dissertation defense and started reading this Rediscover book by Matthew Kelly from my Dad

During Advent, my school, Our Lady of the Lake, kicked off this venture by deeming the Season of Mercy. 🎄

GOD bless you this Merciful Year! Cheers! 🎇

Thirsty Thursday: CFG is for …

R.I.P.✌ all of the fatalities in today’s Oregon community college massacre.

Those who were shot and killed are modern-day martyrs.

While we live in a nation where we have the freedom to express ourselves (First Amendment) ~ including through our religion, we unfortunately may encounter those who express their animosity against our beliefs.

C is for …

CHRIST * Character * Confidence

F is for …

Faith * Football * Field of Life

G is for …

Guts * Grace * Glory

In Jim Grassi‘s Guts Grace & Glory, connections are made between the football field and Christianity. Dr. Grassi, who has worked with pro football players in my beloved Bay Area, makes athletes’ testimonies and scripture readings relevant with the game and our overall moral conduct as a whole…

Besides the textbook from which which I teach, I also refer to supplementary sources for my speech students! While I still separate religion from education in the public school system, I tie in certain codes of conduct practiced when relevant.

This leads me to pursuing my legacy, even at my age, because we never know whether we’ll still be here tomorrow ~ so

How will you be spiritually when you meet your maker?

Affirmations for Athletes and Non-Athletes Alike

• Grassi, J. E. (2013). Guts grace and glory: A football devotional. New York, NY: Thomas Nelson.

Another Inspirational Reading from a fellow Christian

• Tebow, T. R., & Whitaker, N. (2011). Through my eyes: A quarterback’s journey. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

1st Friday of Fall Y’all: TGIF

Thank GOD It’s Fall!

Facing east for the moon rise from my backyard garden … Just another West Texas Friday night!

As much as ☼summer☼ is my favorite season (after all, that’s when my birthday takes place), I’m making the most out of autumn ~ especially going outside for crisp, fresh air!

I’m also all about Starbucks seasonal flavors* ~ from ☼summer’s fruitiness to these comfy delights:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte 

My latest Starbucks Gold Card reward redeemed: Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino!

• Salted Caramel Mocha 

My venti cold cup always comes in handy … for a discount & a drink to last me all ☼day!

• *NEW* Toasted Graham 

Apparently, I was my local barista’s 1st customer to order a Toasted Graham Frappuccino! #StarbucksLovers ♥ #trendsetter

Furthermore, football has kicked off into full swing!

I refreshed my ♥heart♥ & ☼soul☼ with ♥Adoration♥ †Chapel† holy hour at †Church† & with this ☼spirit☼ book + my bod with this Graham Goodness! (Even though I’ll cover up more, I’ll definitely still tone up with whatever energy I still can muster in the midst of working on my dissertation!

Here are a few of my favorite things for fall …

Trunk or Treat: ☼Sunshine☼ (my truck) tailgate was decked out with festive decor that featured ♥A&A♥ when we gave candy to my †Church† students last Howl-o-ween!

Nine Fine Fall Flaves

1. Favorite Candle: my Bath & Body Works‘ Salty Caramel that I used to light up my *Dallas Cowboys* jack-o-lantern and Advent †cross† (I’m also all about BBW‘s Pumpkin Pecan Waffles/White Barn‘s Thanksgiving Morning)
2. Favorite Lip Color: toss-up between my red Ardency Inn ♥Love♥ Cat lipstick from Sephora or purple Vera Wang *Rockstar* lip gloss from ULTA (c/o my Bestie Evie)
3. Favorite Drink: please view above {Exhibits B-E}
4. Favorite Blush: the ones from my KleanKolor Double Rainbow palette, plus I think that I’ll try Dulce Candy‘s tip on lip colors in a pill box for cheek colors!
5. Favorite Clothing Item: my birthday gifts ~ specifically the scarf/shawl ~ and my recent online finds plus my Target scores ~ particularly the jeans and booties!
6. Favorite Fall Movie: no new releases, so I’ll go with classic football flicks: Varsity Blues (came out my sr. yr.), Friday Night Lights (with a cameo of my h.s.), Remember the Titans, Any Given Sunday, The Longest Yard (including the original)
7. Favorite Fall Show: Grey’s ♥Anatomy!!! I’ve been counting down for the Season 12 premiere since the Season 11 finale ~ as a loyal fan for over a decade since the very beginning with the previous seasons on DVD
8. Favorite Thanksgiving Food: I’m not going to lie –> my Cranberry Pie #DISPObustAFlow
9. Favorite Halloween Costume: now how about I have y’all pick? My personal faves include when I rocked out my abs live, No. 5 … I won our contest in 2013 as Lone Ranger‘s Tonto and in 2014 as my Nurse Mom who was fine in 1969! Will I make a 3-peat??

Actually, please allow me to add a 10th item:

Sweet Annie

My #1 Favorite for Fall: my ✌two✌ ♥cute, cuddly companions♥ with whom to softly snuggle for cozy comfort plus who keep me company while hard at work and welcome me home after hard at play!

Sassy Asia

CHEERS to this time of year!

Thirsty Thursday: Spiritual DNA & Bootcamp

Our Holy Father has spread joy & hope all around the world leading up to his World Meeting of Families | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

¡Biénvenidos, Padre!

“Don’t walk alone, always be encouraged. Walk with courage. Courage gives you joy, and joy gives you hope. Always move with courage, and always move with hope. Ask GOD for these.” ~ Pope Francis tells young girl in Spanish (this translated message transcends to all of us) … Similarly, Bishop Mike advised me to always look at the †cross† to refresh my soul with new hope, ♥love♥ and trust. | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

As Pope Francis journeys on his well-anticipated trip to America (Philly to D.C. to NYC)

Pope Francis has addressed the *U.S. Congress* | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

our awareness has been raised on how we take care of our environment … and each other.

Pope Francis has connected with my previous home: el Valle | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

We also must consider how we take care of ourselves, in terms of our own †spiritual† health.

Pope Francis lifted up this young man’s spirits for taking care of his family | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special

Lately, I’ve reflected on my self-centered tendencies and been praying to be relieved of them in order to put my life in GOD’s hands. This hasn’t been easy. Fortunately, more messages have reminded me to get more †spiritually-fit.

Has this already been part of our genetic disposition* or is this something that we can learn**?

Courtesy United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

*Spiri†ual DNA

M is for …

Maryknoll‘s Father Finch uses a molecule metaphor about our spirituality already being part of our †souls, from the Holy Spirit to uncover GOD’s mysteries. By following these “spiritual† genetic instructions,” we serve and lead faithfully.

en español | Courtesy United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

**Spiri†ual Bootcamp

First, we must make sure that we maintain our religious practices for the mind:

• Go to Confession every month
• Pray the Rosary everyday ~ offering our daily duty to be closer to the Holy Spirit
• Scapular ~ “form me and shape me, Mother, in the form of Your Divine Son” (Marian way of life)

Furthermore, we must stay in good physical shape, so we have capable bodies:

• Calisthenics are effective to take care of our temples ~ this activity is more ideal for our spirit than pop culture (e.g., watching TV, going online)

Courtesy The Lake

Bearing in mind and ♥heart♥ all of the above advice plus last week’s scripture, I realize now more than ever that I’m no better than anyone else in the way that I treat others and ought to be treated; after all, as said every Ash Wednesday:

For you are dust, and to dust you shall return. ~ Genesis 3:19

 That being said, let’s follow the Pontiff‘s solid guidance to seek from GOD: courage –> joy –> hope ~ as I’ve studied this leadership practice for several years:

Encourage the ♥Heart♥

Courtesy Maryknoll

Spiritual Sources

• ABC. (2015, Sept. 4). “Pope Francis and the People.” [TV special].
• EWTN. (2014). Women of Grace “Marian Devotion: For Such a Time As This.”*
• Finch, Fr. Raymond J. (2015, Sept. 20). Reflections from Maryknoll.** [Email].

Inspired by Pope Francis | Courtesy Maryknoll

Beauty Tuesday: BTS Hacks

‘Cause I have your back!

This Back-to-School season, check out my super saver tips for time, money and the Earth plus even your sanity …

Set out:

• weekly wardrobe ~ clothes, jewelry, hair accessories, handbags, etc. (hang on a rolling rack or dedicated space to designate) #OOTDforDays
• anything else that you need to get ready ~ especially your keys, in the same spot, and also specific hair tools & products, makeup, nail colors

Always check the weather forecast and have a back-up plan if an unexpected natural circumstance arises

Sleep in:

• braids ~ so you could rock waves the next day!
• workout gear ~ so you could run as soon as you wake up (TIU‘s K&K‘s Karena also vouches for this in Beach Babe 3‘s ☼Morning☼ Motivation segment)!

This has worked for me on a couple of different situations:

1. when I had my fitness classes 1st thing in the AM in college
2. when I worked at my hometown gym and exercised before work

Speaking of ♫working on my fitness, he’s my witness♪ {Fergie‘s Fergalicious}…

Be Prepared  {Boy Scout motto}

• stash sneakers in your vehicle ~ so you have no excuse for a fun run on-the-go
• pack change clothes ~ from working out to reporting to work or vice versa

This has worked for me on a few different situations:

1. when I hit the base gym before and after work after I graduated from college (YES, 2-a-days)
2. when I hit the university gym during lunch with my boss during graduate school
3. when I hit the college gym between classes that I taught
4. when I had my photography gig at the hospitals (during which I’d sometimes fit in a work workout) before teaching at the College or ministering at Church

Bearing this in mind, make sure to pack

• hygiene products (i.e., dry shampoo, deodorant) ~ do your best to fit in a quick shower if there’s a locker room
• dental hygiene products (i.e., floss picks, gum, mints) ~ so your breath doesn’t kick

I actually store deodorant and mini perfume bottles plus packs of gum in most of my purses plus my compact bag that I transport when I switch handbags

DON’T forget to eat! ~ Mami Aya + many Pinay & caring moms everywhere

• double-duty edibles ~ such as coconut oil to substitute fatty oils in recipes plus is my favorite hair conditioner and also moisturizes skin, as well as removes makeup (according to The Sweet Life)
• handy healthy snacks (not fast food) ~ such as apples, grapes (I dig mine fresh or frozen), pears ~ the pear or apple crisp can trigger brain juice flow, don’t ya know #DISPObustAFlow
• chill your coffee ~ since I don’t drink as much for heartburn prevention, I store the rest in the fridge until the next day

Stylin’ Sippie Selfie: Reppin’ my *Dallas Cowboys* after last night‘s victory to kick off NFL season: Go, Big Blue … in Checkered & Houndstooth!

Transitioning between seasons from cold cups to hot tumblers …

*Star* Quality: Starbucks Anniversary Collection Houndstooth Double-Wall Traveler Ceramic Mug was worth the investment for yours truly (as long as I don’t drop it ~ no jinx, please) because I ♥love♥ the look and can save a few cents every time I refill it … (I also adore the same-style Swarovski Crystal one from this season’s collection because I wear Swarovski from head to toe, but c’mon: I’m a doc candidate on a tight budget ~ so I’ll keep admiring from afar)

• tote reusable containers ~ mine from Starbucks saves me 10-cents per use and conserves resources (great for my next craving, this flavor-of-the-day: the Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino to redeem my latest Gold Card Reward*)

The navy blue & gold go well with my dissertation defense dress!

1-Stop Shop

Target showcases its own products in renditions of Vogue** covers from this past century

• My everything store is Target because it offers decent prices on clothing ~ including my designer collab limited editions ~ as well as home goods, some groceries, and is my personal fave place for gift registries

You too can check out these Target en Vogue** photos by scoring a copy and scanning with your Shazam app

• I’m also a CVS patron for Beauty and ExtraCare Bucks Rewards*
  

  I picked up this month’s Vogue** while grabbing some monthly & quarterly essentials

☼Sunshine☼ Time

• Get a daily dose of Vitamin D (as weather permits) ~ for health & happiness

Taking a breezy breather from my dissertation in the backyard to thumb through Vogue** in ☼serenity☼

Just make YOU Time

• Lately, my pleasure reading getaways have been simpler to prevent brain burnout (i.e., pictures for eye candy) ~ so no information overload in this rotation

Perfect coffee table or night stand literature ~ when I need a break from my dissertation, these are my latest go-tos: the original Cupcakes and Cashmere (prequel to Cupcakes and Cashmere at Home that I have in eBook form) and this month’s 800+-page Vogue** (glossy inspirations of this season’s styles)

More than Scrub in the Tub

• ♪sing♫ in the shower ~ so cliché, but as someone who needs a nice-sounding voice for teaching, defending my dissertation, and most of all: ministering (leading in readings, prayers and song) at Mass, I must warm up my ♫melody♪
• stay fit as you suds up ~ stretch (with caution) as you reach for body parts to clean, and if you’re seated during a bath, I strongly suggest doing water pilates (think table top position with head and feet raised for resistance as you move)

†Pray† at Any Time of the Day

• No believer is ever too busy to †pray† ~ even if we can’t take a ½ hour or full hour to meditate, at least devote a few to several minutes or even †pray† before, during and/or after your activities (my Rosary begins my days, and playing the ♪song♫ jump-starts it!)

* Rewards = another way to $ave (discount$ & FREEbie$)

These guidelines will save you in the long one ~ not only for the aforementioned reasons, but also from embarrassment (i.e., killer breath, B.O.) if you run into someone later… We don’t want to be Finch from the American Pie movies who had to go home from school every time he had to release his macchiato! You’re welcome.  ✌

Happy ☼Birthday☼ to my ♥Tita Fe♥, a.k.a. Dr. Reyes-Dollete, & HBD to my BFF Bestie SSG Melody!

^– Let this **Vogue ♪jam♫ ♫pump you up♪ today!!! –^

As ♫Madonna♪ sings:

♪That’s why I feel so beautiful♫

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 🙏📖💒🏀⛳️🏆📷👶💪

Soothing the Soul & Sole

I wrapped up last night 🌙 & kicked 👟 off 🏈 today ☀️ just right 😎

💄 #BeautyTip: 👛 @ 😲 #bedtime 😵 lather #hands 👏 & #feet 👣 in #lotion then wrap hands 👋 in #mittens or #gloves & feet in #socks to seal in moisture to keep #ManiPedi 💅 #skin 👍 #soft 👌 & #smooth 👊 + #warm ✌️ while 😴 #sleeping 💤

#SpiritualHealth #Tip: @ 🌇 #RiseAndShine 🌅 do #PrayerStretches through #BreathPrayers while holding each #stretch [while I #pray 🙏 the #Rosary 🌹 that’s 50+ total #stretches]