Motivational Monday: Mis Padres

Pope Francis offers his take* on how home influences our faith [my commentary in brackets]:

“Faith opens a ‘window’ to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures.

‘Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name will not go unrewarded,’ Jesus says (Mark 9:41).

“These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by brothers and sisters. They are little signs of tenderness, affection, and compassion.

• “Like the warm supper we look forward to at night [my mom‘s homecooking], the early meal awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work [my dad‘s coffee].

“Homely gestures.

• “Like a blessing before we go to bed [blessing my honorary GODdaughter Maggie at bedtime, as her family does], or a hug after we return from a hard day’s work.

“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs that make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life and life to grow in faith.”

*Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul, pp. 22-23 ~ as said at the Closing Mass of the Eighth World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday, September 27, 2015.

^– I actually used this passage as my pre-brunch prayer of grace with my parents today! –^

Bearing in mind these homely gestures, let’s also consider our cultures and upbringings…

Have you ever wondered why your parents act the way they do then realize that you’re turning out more like them as you grow up?

Wong Fu was right on point:

Have you eaten yet? = Priceless ♥love♥

Speaking of family …

Happy 17th Birthday to Rey-Rey, my beloved GODdaughter Reyanna mañana!

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!

Workout & Working Woman’s Wednesday: V is for …

* Veterans * Victory * Virtue

Please join yours truly as I salute and pay tribute to

• my hardworking heroic father from the *United States Air Force* while approaching the retirement of his post-military career in aviation
• my Great-Uncle Terry from the *U.S. Navy* before he reaches nine decades of life
• my *Airman* cousin Jeryl who’s safely and soundly back Stateside from his deployment
• my Bro Ryan from the *United States Marine Corps* who now is expecting my first niece/nephew with my sis and attending MBA school
• my *Airman* brother-in-law Eric in his second tour in the ROK
• my many friends who’ve served the great *US of A*

This also is a special Veterans’ Day as I passed my full faculty defense according to GOD’s perfect plan!

While our military heroes engage in rigorous physical training, with PT tests that time:

• 1½-mi. runs
• ### push-ups
• ### sit-ups

I did my share of high impact activity to prepare my energy for this AM’s event …

Just like I’ve connected almonds with energy for my full marathon as an analogy for my multiple regression statistical analyses, I’ve tied in what worked for me on the days I passed my previous rounds:

• I hit the track after my Holy Hour at our ♥Adoration♥ †Chapel† right before my committee conference call
• I’ve done more HIITs and toning up to ease my test anxiety up until today’s full faculty meeting

Here’s my training session from yesterday to work both the lower and upper bod:

2 for Tuesday: Double Whammy beyond the Moons on my Hammy

Simultaneous Moves for 20 reps/set with body weight or light resistance (ankle or wrist wraps, dumb bells or bands)

• Squats (legs) & Shoulder Raises (delts and traps)
• T-Bird Dead Lifts (booty) & Rows (back)
• Extensions 2 Ways ~ Standing (quads) & Overhead (tris)
• Curls 2 Ways ~ Standing (hams) & Upward (bis)
• Trunk Twist (core) Curtsy Lunges (legs)
• Ab-duction (inner thighs & waistline)

CHEERS to ALL of our service men and women in uniform who’ve

• fought for our freedom, both in the States and overseas
• bled for our country, earning themselves the Purple Heart
• died for those freedoms, earning themselves the Flag

 as well as ALL of our military families who experience the sacrifice.

Thank you, GOD, the Saints and the Angels for watching over us!!!

Working Woman’s Wednesday: Patience = Virtue

Dr. Grassi cites scripture in sustaining patience:

1. Romans 8:28 ~ GOD works for the good of those who ♥love♥ Him ✌
2. Genesis 12:2, 7; Hebrews 6:15 ~ Abraham receiving the ☼promise☼ later in life
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Galatians 6:10 ~ Paul advising patience with other †faithful† people

I read his testament on patience yesterday, which was wonderful timing because it was just what I needed in multiple aspects of my life:

1. getting through my dissertation defenses
2. seeking a career advancement
3. dealing with difficult people

Before I read his passage, I realized how patience helped me through those obstacles mentioned above:

1. I received encouragement from my professors
2. I received my latest teaching assignment
3. I received a fresh perspective on someone

These were reasons to thank GOD!

When I went through my Confirmation classes, I sought patience as a virtue and still continue pursuing it through all aspects of my life. We live in a world of

• instant gratification
• sense of urgency

Yet …

If we patiently wait, we’ll have more reason to ☼celebrate.

As we commonly say, and I first heard from my eighth grade math teacher:

Good things come to those who wait, for they will be ☼rewarded☼ ten-fold.

Plus, as my buddy, Big D has mentioned:

Anticipation creates ☼excitement.

Spiritual Sources

• *Grassi, J. E. (2013). Guts grace and glory: A football devotional. New York, NY: Thomas Nelson. (p. 69)

Sports Sunday Fun Day: Maligayang Bati, Papa Jun!

♪Happy ☼Birthday☼♫ to my Dad today!

Go, *Dallas Cowboys* this NFL ☼Sunday!

Throwback: Papa Jun & I en route to our *Dallas Cowboys* game against the Philly Eagles during the ‘BOYS‘ first season at its new home field (then-Cowboys Stadium/now-AT&T Stadium)

Just like any fortunate child who has grown up with a father or paternal figure, I feel extremely †blessed† and grateful to still have mine as a constant part of my life.

Throwback: Papa Jun & I have a good view of *America’s Team* and *America’s Sweethearts from 6 rows behind the end zone!

Papa Jun is one of the most well-rounded people who I know and admire:

• He was a hardworking country boy in his side of the family’s province in the Philippines 
• He served over two decades in the *United States Air Force* both Stateside and overseas
• He continued his almost two-decade aviation career after retiring from the military
• He stays active as he plays tennis and roots on our football and basketball teams
• He taught me many fundamentals, from math to car maintenance to politics

Even as an adult, I still keep learning from my Dad, who always enlightens me everyday, through his example and his wisdom as a prayerful soon-to-be first-time grandfather with whom I attended Church today. Cheers, Pops!

Maligayang Bati, Papa Jun, at ♥Mahal♥ Kita!

✌ R.I.P., Flip Saunders of the NBA ✌

Workout Wednesday: Double Duty

Since most of my energy and time are being spent on my dissertation, I’ve minimized my exercise

Sweaty Selfie: Shake Weight catches my reflection as I put in some action!

Yet I still fit it in

No need for the gym ~ I’ve got the gear that I need here, while sporting my fave teams: Dallas Mavericks * Dallas Cowboys * Texas Rangers

As I catch up on chores

As I dust my dresser that have decor, I also display jewelry and photos that I score!

Both inside the house

More ♥love♥ to bedazzle

And outdoors!

More watches to witness my fitness + parabands that my student’s son made for his how-to speech

My favorite physical activity:

Home for my chunky floral pearl statement necklace to ☼brighten☼ my vanity after ☼summer☼

Dancing!

Purrfect spot to sport my Double A-Team‘s collars complete with their St. Francis of Assisi + *Dallas Mavericks* & *San Antonio Spurs* medals (YES, speaking of bball, that is a Kobe Bryant card here)

I also ♫sing♪ to work out those vocal chords!

Wow, speaking of black & gold, my students‘ homecoming is coming up …

Therefore, both my body and soul are refreshed!

Study Saturday: Conscientiousness

During this week’s conference call with my dissertation chair, she called me

conscientious.

I not only accepted this ~ to ♥heart♥ and absolutely at face value ~ as the best compliment from her (when we were discussing the running and re-running of my statistics for my research results) but also am ensuring that I live up to this standard.

St. Joseph the Worker †prayer† that contains the word conscientiously from my Doctor of Philosophy friend who I idolize

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!

Throwback: Some timing that Grey’s Anatomy premiered its 12th season this week ~ I actually reported on it during my 1st year of doc coursework (my Grad Cat is the #PhotoBomb #BombDotCom shortly before baby sis Stat Cat‘s birth Annie-versary) ~ this is an example of a presentation aid that I just covered with my speech students

This past week, I taught my students about literary terms, so I tied them into ♪music♫ and pop culture:

Asyndeton in ♫George Strait‘s ♪The Chair♪

Irony in ♫Alanis Morissette‘s ♪Ironic♪

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication in Jeremy Lin‘s How to Fit in the NBA

Personification plus Alliteration and Assonance in Funny Face that featured Audrey Hepburn!

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!

Site Sources

1. Big Five/OCEAN: http://ipip.ori.org/ and http://oaks.nvg.org/big-five.html
2. Myers-Briggs: http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/

Another Reference (when I minored in psychology)

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.

Addendum

After I helped lead my †Church† in prayer at Vigil Mass, Fr. Bob, our Pastor, greeted me as “Soon-to-be Dr. Dispo” ~ to which I replied, “GOD-willing,” and “to glorify GOD.”

Happy Belated Birthday to our Fr. Kumar, our Parochial Vicar!

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♫

Beauty Tuesday: Fine Online

Special delivery: Introducing the Sweet Pea (I ♥love♥ the name ~ same as my *True Blue Pit Bull* may she ✌R.I.P.) satchel from the MARKKIT BelindaSelene Collection …

As a birthday treat to myself

I absolutely ♥adore♥ the sleek shine of the patent blush & smooth texture of the taupe suede … all in vegan leather #GoodForTheEnvironment (I also dig the packaging & tags in Tiffany blue + complimentary candy ~ pleasant sweet surprises ~ to add to my desk)

I added to my wardrobe from my YouTube gurus’ collections:

The gold handle hardware matches up w/my gold wristlets complete w/satin polka dotted lining w/a large zipped pocket in the inside back + handy-dandy compartments to store keys, lipstick, etc. Carries well w/the adjustable crossbody & double snaps above zipper closure ~ what appealed to me the most initially was the bowling bag shape! This’d go great with the CK colorblock dress from my Nanay!

• Belinda Selene‘s Markkit Sweet Pea satchel (blush patent vegan leather handbag)

Special Delivery today … Oh, snap as I call my stats a wrap! Stats Cat wants to get in on the pacatge wrap!

• Anna Akana‘s *Ghost & Stars* Taylor Swift midi dress (navy gingham)

This navy blue & white number would pair well with the Sakroots crossbody that Mami Aya gave me for my bday!

I must’ve scored the last 1 because it no longer stayed in stock the day after!

Soon-to-be Bday Grrrl Sweet Annie‘s easy to please: w/her squirrel tail & her likewise squirrel tail toy + dress packaging!

♪ #WeNeverGoOutOfSTYLE ♫

Speaking of ♫T-Swift, here’s her rendition of Friends‘ Phoebe’s ♫Smelly Cat♪ ^– check it –^

Thirsty Thursday: Lead Me LORD

Before Back-to-School

S is for … Spiritual * Scripture * Sports at the 1st school for my doc research!

I went through a few Bible reading plans:

Our Blessed Mother shrine at my aunt’s garden pond during my bday vacay

Find Purpose in Your Work

• 1 Samuel 3:7
• Ephesians 1:9
• Luke 24:28
• 1 peter 4:10
• Genesis 12:1
• 1 Corinthians 9:12
• James 1:17

†Lessons learned: Glorify GOD through the gifts with which He has blessed us, according to His plan

… Do small things with great ♥love. ~ Mother Teresa

For Leadership Effectiveness

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• Deuteronomy 17:18-20
• Joshua 1:8

Pope Francis, courtesy Catholic Relief Services

Good for Business: Devotions from Time of Grace

• 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
• James 5:1-4
• Titus 2:9-10

†Lesson learned: Serve with care and respect for others

Throwback Thursday: There are 2 things you should practice in life: #gratitude & #forgiveness ~ Dr. Fe Reyes-Dollete #WordsOfWisdom from my Tita who wants us to uphold our family’s #legacy #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #ReyesReunion * #BirthdayTrip2015 #HappyTrip * Lolo Tico & Lola Rosa🌹 • Titas Fe & Aida • Mami Aya • Titos Art & Dr. @robert_chief_cpd #OurBlessedMother #FamilyTree #garden #love #Filipiniana #MagandaKaTalaga #MahalKita ☝🏽️✌🏽️🙏🏽👏🏽🌠🌟⭐️✨💫👑💐🌳🏡💝💖💟💗💓💞💕❤️💛💚💙💜

If I’d make time to teach Religious Ed again this year, I’d so show (& ♪sing♫ along) this to my Cathechism students:

5:55 ~ make a Bday/BTS wish!!! ✌