As I prepare for my first round of presentation(s), I connect the actual theories of my dissertation study with reaching this ultimate finish line of achieving my doctoral degree …
Challenge the Process ~ minimizing distractions ~ I’ve kept my iPhone on “Airplane Mode” (which has helped so I could dodge notifications from text messages, news and sports while checking email and other information from my computers)
Enable Others to Act and Encourage the ♥Heart♥ ~ keeping around the support system that I endearingly call Team Dr. D, including my Double A-Team, who spread positive vibes through prayer and motivation
Flashback Friday: Acting out a skit for our doctoral program‘s first Halloween luncheon! This was a nice mid-term break from our heavy course load to have fun!
Speaking of PRACTICE, practicing indeed makes perfect in many ways:
from doing Tae Bo to lose the “Freshman 15” (8-min. workout 8x/day)
Satisfaction with Strategy, Ability Utilization plus Training and Instruction ~ taking the tactics necessary to sticking with the program: my professors emphasized our strengths plus accommodated to our audio, visual and kinesthetic learning styles
Satisfaction with Team Integration and Personal Dedication ~ I was blessed to part of a study group who collaborated well and helped out each other, plus when I felt overwhelmed with test anxiety (so I should empathize with my students who experience speech anxiety), I’d work out {Exhibits A and B} to boost and induce my confidence
Plus, I’ve considered mistakes that I’ve made that potentially could have set me back from reaching my goal
What Did NOT Work for Me?
I lost sight of my “prize” when I focused on external forces, such as a social life or romance ~ which probably would’ve been effective if I had a supportive partner
Feline Friday: Sweet Annie the Stats Cat loves her reflection so much that she surrendered to her staring contest and snoozed #SnapCat #CatNap
Reflecting on my growth through this process has made me stronger as a productive person in society, but most of all: one who gives my gifts to GOD!
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)?
Apparently, Jessica Alba must be extremely influential with her following ~ she’s now branded produce! | CourtesySeventeen 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 andacneprevention/protection! | CourtesySeventeen magazine, October 2015
Grey’s Anatomy revolves around Dr. Meredith Grey (center), here with her ½-sister from her late mom, Dr. Ellis Grey’s side, Dr. Margaret Pierce, a.k.a. “Maggie” (to her right/viewer’s left) & sister-in-law from her late husband, Dr. Derek Shepherd, a.k.a. “McDreamy‘s” side, Dr. Amelia Shepherd (to her left/viewer’s right) after they demolished a wall ~ as my doc friend–turnedpublished author says, we “build out of bricks,” so here these 3 are, starting over from scratch. #HomeReno#DISPObustAFlow Rando Info: Doesn’t the actress who plays Maggie look like the Special K commercial chick in lumberjack (red and black) plaid on a bus? | CourtesyABC
“There’s a scientific study that shows that if you stand in superhero pose for just five minutes before a job interview or a big presentation or a really hard task, you will not only feel confident, but you will perform measurably better.
^– I most certainly must heed this as I approach my finish line! –^
Side chart note: Without McDreamy and McSteamy in the mix at Seattle Grace (now Grey-Sloan ~ bad-to-the-bone), it’s “Attending Poser” / *NEW* *HOT* Intern who I’ll chase [not really — just making time to rhyme as always all days]! #DISPObustAFlow
When my cohort members and I were admitted into our doctoral program, conscientiousness* happened to be one of the personality traits for which we tested and that we studied in our leadership theories literature. It comes from the (1b) Big Five psychometric assessment that uses the “OCEAN” acronym:
Openness (or Originality)
*Conscientiousness (or Consolidation)
Extroverion ~ I’ve also consistently tested high for this in the (2) Myers-Briggs (as an ENFJ for Extraversion • Intuition • Feeling • Judging) both when I took it as a psych minor for my undergrad and again in doc school
Agreeableness (or Accommodation)
Neuroticism (or Emotional Instability) ~ the reverse of this attribute as leaders and doc students is ideal to deal
According to the (1a) instrument provided by my doctoral degree program, someone who is conscientious is “achievement”-oriented and “self-disciplined” ~ so this implies that conscientiousness involves intentions (definitely something for which I strive).
Currently, my conscientiousness has stuck with me through school ~ as both a scholar and an educator!
If it (Quality magazine) won’t speak to me, it won’t speak to them.
~ Ms. Prescott, Editor-in-Chief
D for
Down * Dreary * Dull * Depressing * Dismal and * Deadly
Banish the Black * Burn the Blue * Bury the Beige
Think pink * Red is dead * Blue is through * Green‘s obscene * Brown’s too boo
Now I know that my advisor wasn’t trying to flatter me, but her acknowledgment meant encouragement … of the ♥heart.
I challenge you fellow servants and leaders to consider which personality traits that you have in order to enhance your strengths and improve from your weaknesses!
Oldham, J. M., & Morris, L. B. (1995). The new personality self-portrait: Why you think, work, love, and act the way you do. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
Before this Fall term and my Birthday, I was able to travel for my recent family reunion!
☼#SundayFunDay just what I need: brief breather from my doctoral dissertation #FreshAir #AllTheGolfBallsICanHit #UnclesBackyard = #BombDotComb #BirthdayTrip2015 #RnR #ReyesReunion + #SelfieSunday “Ate” Elaine at “Auntie” Mary Jean a.k.a. “Tita” Inday! Yes, I’m older than my gorgeous aunt & about to be more w/my bday next wkend! #Countdown2theBiG #MagandaKaTalaga #SundaySelfie #WorkingOnMySwing #GoingGreen #GoingWithTheFlow #ChillaxinMellow #DISPObustAFlow🌞🌼🌻🌅⛳️ 🎓💣👑💁🏻
If you’re a passenger on the road🚙 or in the 🌌air, my tip would be to tote👜 yourself with
🎥Films (saved on your digital device or DVDs💽 if you have a portable 📻player)
👓Literature (electronic📳 or in 📇print)
🚘Travel🚗 💞workouts💓 (do with what you got or follow along videos)
Regardless of my so-called 🌴R&R, as a mad 🔭scientist🔬 I couldn’t resist bringing 💼study📖 materials!
While many may be 🚢traveling🚤 around Labor Day since the 🌼summer-to-school🍎 transition, I’m taking every single off day to work on my 💻dissertation📇 ~ which was the story of my life throughout the second 1/2 of this past 🌿summer. Now that the we’re back into the swing, I’ve resumed teaching🎓 and really need to set aside extra time exclusively for my 📜paper…
Before returning to the college🏤 for 🍁fall🍂 term, my parents flew✈️ me to visit family as my 🎈🎁💝🎂birthday🎆🎇🎊🎉trip! Despite needing a brief 🌴vacay getaway, I still reviewed👓 and revised✒️ my draft📝 every single day, whether in flight🚁 or during down time.
However, I still had plenty of entertainment🎬 on my 📱iPhone, laptop and hard copy📚 to keep me occupied while I was in the friendly skies🌐 or on my own:
I would’ve added more movies🎥 to the mix, but not all of my apps📳 are up to par. Either way, I stayed occupied when I wasn’t 😲😵asleep😴💤 or visiting with my relatives ~ my Mami Aya‘s siblings for their reunion (that was the plan, but I ended up just referring to those at bedtime and did my dissertation during the day)!
Plus, I packed👜 light💡 with only one pair of shoes👡 to match my 👗outfits!
Paired both of these OOTDs with white sandals before Labor Day! Skirts and scarves galore! 👛🎒
Fun ⌚️Times⏰ were in store ~ now I ☝🏽️aim🏀 to 🏆score!
#DISPObustAFlow 🎤
👣FYI: Happy Trip was a saying from my Lola 💐Rosa🌹 ~ my beloved maternal grandmother👵🏼
Btw, in between flights, I treated my layovers like shopping sprees and strolled the terminals like I was on a mall walk! Honest & Benefit kiosks * Dallas Cowboys store * Mini*Starbucks$ Lovers♥
GTO reminds me of myself: He cares about his students & is a biker!
Before I began teaching at the college level, my 🇺🇸Airman✈️ buddy, who was stationed in 🐎Texas🏇🏽 and 🌺Cali🌴 when I lived in both, introduced me to anime Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)
First, I sought a layering top to complete my ultimate presentation🎤 ensemble and went so far as to look for different colors🎨 and 🐆prints. I searched for a color-coordinating overlay, but did I want a solid🎱 sweater since I already had a patterned👙 dress? When I thought that I was getting warmer in reaching the 👓vision by shopping online, I imagined my striped sweater👘 that I scored earlier this summer ~ suprisingly perfect with polka dots in the same colors!
Next, I needed plaid🏁 for the 🍁fall🍂 and found this snap-button shirt that pairs well with my new skater 👗dress & come to think of it, may match my new sneakers for the 1st day of school! I can pull off this kicka** look!
Even when I wasn’t trying, when I went to my 🙏🏽Holy💖 💒Hour⏰ the other day, I made a masterpiece match with this 💐🌾spring/summer🍃 dress💃🏻 and striped👔 scarf🏂 that still could make a statement as we enter the cooler months!
For clothing in colors that already pop, I go for neutral/muted tones in the finishing touches, such as in these nude wedges & black Docs!
Then I realized that I had my latest pursuits as classic pieces in my closets all along!
P also is for …
Period
Since it’s my time of the month ~ YES, I admit it, no shame in my TMI as I bring more FYI ~ I don’t want my cramps to interfere with my shut-eye or staying productive as I power through my paper (I’ve also wondered whether the “crimson tide,” as Clueless‘ Cher puts it, will hit when I present it, but I’ll have to deal when that time comes and look dayum good in the process) … However, when I felt fatigued and craved energy yet didn’t want my coffee to add to my bloat, I sought acclaim/affirmation for or at least alternatives to caffeine
Also, I reminded myself that this flow wouldn’t mess with my flow. In fact, over a decade ago, when I worked at my my hometown gym, I wouldn’t empathize with fellow females who used their flow as an excuse not to witness their fitness ~ even when I felt crummy from cramping, I’d still exercise!
Well, this brand-spankin’ new member to our 26.2-mile club gives running while being on the rag a whole new meaning.
She even brings up chaffing, so speaking of which … enter {drum roll, please}
Powder
I’ve rediscovered this product that my mom had patted on my skin when I was a baby and had me keep applying it to maintain my hygiene as a child. When I ran my marathon, I realized how effective it could be to areas that experienced a lot of friction (which will remain unnamed) ~ now I use it more during this exceptionally hotter-than-usual ☼summer☼ whether I have a fun run in the ☼sun☼ or am just sweating bullets!
My personal preference: Johnson & Johnson’sBaby Powder with Cornstarch
For more cramp & comic relief, this No Strings Attached scene (no tampon pun intended) shows a period ♪playlist♫ ~ now I wish that someone could bring me cupcakes (red velvet & other assorted flavors ~ I’m not picky) like this character did!
♪I keep bleeding … keep, keep bleeding ♥love♥♪~ ♫Leona Lewis♫ | Pretty picture (“crime scene in my pants”), right?
As the Golden State Warriors of the West one-upped the Cleveland Cavaliers of the East to lead the 2015 NBA title series, I also reached achievement to feel victorious:
I landed at a happy medium for my Ph.D. participant total for my surveysample!
Come a long way … Still more to go!#DISPObustAFlow
One step closer toward World Champions status for these ballers, one step closer toward dissertation defense for yours truly!
While this may not be the most exciting news for the entire world, what it means to me is that
I now can run my stats STAT #DrDISPObustAFlow
P
S
R
Doctor of Philosophy
School/Scholar/Study
Research
Professional Pursuit
Social Science
Participants
Survey
Players
Sports/Student-Athletes
Performance
Satisfaction
Population Percentage
Statistics
Run Stats/Analyze Results
Exactly eight months after I started collecting data (despite the slow start, it’s really about how I execute and complete), I’ve now entered this well-anticipated phase …
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
The Elaine Dispo Journal 