My New Book: Not Rid of You Yet.

My new book will be called, 'Not Rid of You Yet.'

Sounds great and interesting, right? Sure.

Hodgkie-Lymphoma decided to stick around after my 6 cycles of ABVD (without the B, that tried to kill me) Chemo.

What's the deal now- more chemo!

So a few weeks ago was my first actual stay at a hospital-- for 3 days of ice chemo that i blazed through unlike the ABVD chemo. I went through it just fine-- but the 2 days after that, being home was not so fun for me or my poor hubby, who has been taking care of me and giving me extra cuddles through this whole thing.

It really turned out, for me, not to be so bad. What's worst is the emotional turmoil of going through this still and now with all new drugs and procedures that is not fun. I was a crying/angry mess until about a week ago when I figured, let me go for a reiki massage.

It was my first time going for one, and I didn't know what to expect. All I knew is that I have to change everything since #fxckingcancer is sticking around, so this would be one of the steps.

The Reiki-Massage was life changing. It really was- I felt so great as I left the spa that I couldn't even explain it to anyone. I'm definitely going to go get another one and think everyone who's ever stressed should try to find a place/person who offers this service.

I have to give a huge thank you to my friends and family who have been with me through phone calls, hospital visits, text messages, mail packages, doctors visits and randomness. This is by no means an easy ride, and you've all made me feel less like a "creature" and more like a human out in the real and regular world. Thank you for understanding my mood swings, and MIA-ness, and for everything else :)

and for cake. and ice cream.

Since last week, I've begun meditating-- I have to say, it's helped a lot. A LOT. You can't imagine what having the big C is like, so to have outlets like writing, hobbies, movies...then massage therapy and reflexology...and a support team...

let's just say, i'm ready to kick hodgkin's ass.

edited to add:

oh yeah- i'll be going bald/hairless cat again.
also, seriously, i'm looking for a publisher-- if not for this book i'd like to write, then for the other one's i've written!! please, help!!
AND

@theellenshow i want to see your show when this fight of mine has been won!!

certainly not dull

though i have hodgkin's lymphoma, and am going through chemo-

i'm sorry, i'm still restless. at least mentally.

my hubby, LML, has the good sense to tell me when I need to sit still and do nothing. He's been amazing and our latest project kept us busy this weekend.

the truth is...once they tell me i'm in remission, other than sleeping- i won't plan on sitting still.

i've had 7 months of pent up energies here going nowhere- especially because of the mental block that chemo brings.

i've had a few roadblocks. 2 chemos were pushed to a further along date- I think I would have been done with the 12 treatments I would have had by now. My last date is ::fingers crossed:: sometime at the end of the month.

biopsies, extractions, blood tests, doctors, emergency room visits, chemo itself, smells that make you seriousl y sick, mouth sores due to chemo side effects, and constantly being on some sort of meds to fend off viruses really takes a toll on a person. especially when all that person wants is their life back.

the truth is that life will never be the same after you get stuck with something like this and maybe THAT's OK! maybe life will be better, maybe one would be happier...

at least I know I will be.

this is not something that's easy.

all through this, i've learned who my REAL friends are and who to kick to the curb. it's sad when you realize that there's people out there who don't even give you a second thought upon finding out something of this magnitude, but I have to learn to let go.

the people who have stuck around, those are some good eggs. i am totally and completely blessed.

thankfully, my chemo journey carried me through winter, where I couldn't go out and participate in anything much anyway. i've barely been out for months and DO remember the last time i saw all my friends past 9pm at the same time!

geez.

i have so many things i want, and will do when this is over that yes- i can't sit still. my soul-friends know this about me. poor things.

(sorry in advance to tire you out!)

so that's what's been going on in the chemo-fog that is my brain.

on to bigger and better- and even if i do have to live with the worry that this may or may not return one day- i'm not gonna worry too much.

i'm going to do the same thing that you should do.
go out and live.

a letter to my future self

Dear Me,

It's January 8th, 2013. In numbers, 23 years ago today our niece was born, it's been 3 months since running around from doctor to doctor, 2 months since I've gotten diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Last year, I had just gotten back from a whirlwind vacation with my soulmate. The same goes for two years ago. 2 months since my first "not-published-by-just-me" book found its way in bookstores, 2 months since my first book discussion and signing...8 years MARRIED! to my soulmate...

Writing all this down makes me realize that I am extremely lucky. I'm still living a charmed life- Hodgkin's is curable and even though chemo is kicking my ass, I'm going to kick cancers ass and move on with my life- write more books, give more hugs and snuggles, meet more people, travel the world.

Where do I want to be next year when I look back and read this? Settled into my new life, taking care of myself and those around me. So far I've learned: what was wrong with me and why I was feeling so fatigued and sick, who my real friends are (I really got lucky with my group of friends- they are the most amazing people I know. True friends reveal themselves in times of hardships, and for that I am truuuuly thankful), my crazy strength ( i guess. everyone's been telling me i am, but i feel it's more of an "gotta do this to get back to my life" thing, and that God is present in everything (that's a story for another day. well- 10 days. so far.)

Cancer-Schmancer is right. I'm really quite through with it. I have 8 more chemo treatments left, and I muster up what looks like strength to get through the week with it. It's gross and makes me sick. What else it's trying to teach me I don't know. I've always been extremely grateful for my life, for the little things, for anything. There is a lesson in everything. Will I be forever afraid that it will come back? Maybe. There's the one year after chemo to build your immune system back up. I can't wait to be with you at that one year mark. Then there's the five year mark, where after that, you *i* are considered cured. I desperately want to be there already, but I won't let LIFE go until then. I plan to LIVE.

Cured cured cured. I want to hear that word so much. When I do hear it, I'll be 36 years old. That, in and of itself, is a miracle to me even hearing it, thinking about it. I was never one to be selfish or worry about  myself, and to know that I have to watch my every feeling for the rest of my life because my life now does depend on it is overwhelming. After April, a new routine, diet, celebration of life will ensue for as long as God sees it fit for me to be on this earth, and I will relish every second. Just like we all should, because that's all we can do.

The lesson that I may have to LET be taught to be because of all this? To keep strong with faith, and to not hold off anything that I want to do (not that anyone should!) for another day.

By next year, I hope your (my) life changes into something greater than I could have ever imagined NOT walking down this journey- I hope I (we?) have done everything we've wanted and could possibly do to make life that much richer. I'll know more that life was never about the material stuff, or accomplishments, or anything fleeting. Life is not about the TIME you have left- but what you DO with the time you've been given (wait, isn't that a famous quote?)

Life is and will always be about:
love
happiness
joy
family
friends
experiences
smiles
hugs
memories
furry friends
a quiet meal
beauty
faith
intention

And mine's gonna be great.
See you (me!) next year.

Signed,
the globetrotting gamine

hello chaotic self...

(at least i have a cute doggie who snuggles with me :) )

It's been quite a while since I've felt like myself- since my body has waged war on me, really.
Why? I don't know. I exercise, eat right, haven't globetrotted anywhere in these last few months, pretty much no stress (yeah, yeah, insert world's smallest violin here, I know...)

Oh, one cause of stress: my book coming out in bookstores, see here

To make matters- interesting- it started to hurt my entire body when typing so I was inspired to visit my Mom's Holistic Doctor.

Monday was my first time receiving acupuncture. I was not relaxed, and almost immediately I got a case of the itchies. In my ear, on my cheek, on my forehead...but the doc told me not to move.

So, I didn't.

The second part of my therapy is tea. The tea is geared toward my 100 ailments- she gears them individually towards each patient and they have an almost immediate effect. However-

it's gross. Vile. Ew.

The doc told me to just suck it down and not think about it. Twice a day until this coming Monday.

I finished my third cup today.

I've had a disgusting cramp in my leg- which could be any number of things but other than that, I've been feeling a teeny weeny bit better.

I'll catch you up ASAP!

Hope you're all feeling wonderful and please shoot me 'feel good' vibes :)

Love me,
the globetrotting gamine

almost!

(photo shot by me, long island, 2012)

this morning, i woke up to write a few notes and found that i couldn't. there has been so much going on that the only thing that gets to go down on paper is to-do list items and ideas for various manuscripts.

not that i'm complaining.

in a little over a month, my first "any kind" of book will be released in bookstores. Images of America: Greeks in Queens was a brain child born to honor my Grandparents and those who have gone before us who were brave enough to step into a whole new world.

Not a lot of us are so brave, and I am super lucky to be born to such a rich background, heritage, family.

That being said, have I mentioned that it's on pre-order and already killin'? Woo hoo!

Here's the amazon linky, and the Barnes and Noble linky.


Me being insanely happy? Check. Celebrations with amazing people? Check! Other opportunities abundant? Check check!


But mostly, just being happy to be alive works for me.


Hope you enjoy the rest of your summers!!!

i'm weird.

it's true. not like this should be a shocker to most of you that read my blog, but i am so weird.
for example, the list of things that i want to do with the next 15 years of my life should mind-boggle most 30 year olds...50 year olds...boggles my mother's mind, that's for sure.

so, knowing all these years that i am weird and dealing with bullying at a young age kind of got me to where i am today. and i'm thankful. where am i today? ha, good question.
home. enjoying the weather. watching my puppy stare at me while i write and create more lists and read more books.
about to step out to the library and possibly on a photo hunt.
making all my dreams come true at a rate i never thought possible?

that's where i am today.

by now you know that i'm very secretive/protective of my life and that of my friends and family's.
i know that there are know it all's out there. i am not one of them. people only tell you what they want to tell you- it's the way of the world. i can't judge- though i used to. that made it easy for people to bully me through manipulative ways.

those people aren't in my life anymore.

many of you probably think that i stick to a strict schedule of writing and reading. for the most part, i try to. the winter are my busiest working months, and by the time summer rolls around i am swimming in new material for new stories and scrapbooks...and to do lists.

being completely content with my life astounds most people around me. it always has. i used to care- time having gone by has allowed me to not care and chase some more dreams down.


have i changed? i like to think that i haven't. i believe that people grow up but that their cores are unchanging.
 so if i've been M.I.A, it's because i'm busy doing summer things so i can complete these to-do list demands of mine before i continue on this crazy whirlwind i call life.

and i hope your summer is going well, too!

<3

see you in a few weeks!
~the globetrotting gamine

i have a problem!

yes.
i have a problem.
now, i'm sure i've mentioned this problem before and am totally aware other people have the same problem, which is why i feel safe sharing it with the bloggie-world.

my problem is: lists.

as a writer, my list-problem is heightened by a sense of urgency and constant ideas.
as a writer, the storing of journals and notebooks [and more] for said lists and ideas is out of control!

when i was a teenager, i thought i was the only one with this issue. eventually, i met a friend who had a similar issue- i was extremely thankful for this. however, where my lists were mostly idea-related, hers were always material-related.

who am i to judge? i have my own problems here!

catapulting through college literally, would not have been made possibly with out my endless lists built into my planners. each item was a different color relating to a different field. i would cross them out with one single line when each item was complete.

it scared my colleagues. it scared my supervisors- to one of them in particular which i say, HAHA!
but i was lucky, because i loved them, and they still thought i was amusing, so...

by the time the whirlwind of my roaring 20s began, there was more than one notebook, list and planner. i consolidated everything into one and tried to pass on the idea to my nearest and dearest as i found that i never lost a thing! i would write and write, tape in important information into these notebooks and agendas and all was well with my crazy world.

i guess my problem is that it continues to grow and sprout ideas- so i hope, at the very least, that this problem is anything but! let your freak flag fly :)

love me,
the globetrotting gamine

the learning saga

i've been very reflective-selective this year, the big 3-0.
selective of who i'm friends with, who i hang out with, where we go- this is something that i've earned.
more things like that of course, but everyday i am so thankful for my life and grateful to the people who have flitted in and out of it.

reflecting on how things could have been if people never did this makes me all the more thankful.

20 (more)  unrelated things that i've learned about myself:

1. i could care less about awards shows (but yes, i like the dresses)
2. i prefer to live in jeans.
3. swimming makes me really happy.
4. i am very not materialistic, and like to wear the crap out of my favorite clothing pieces.
5. what people say about me and think about me makes me sad that their lives are dull.
6. i make the best tzatziki sauce.
7. my wedding day was not the happiest day of my life- the day i knew i was going to spend the rest of my life with my husband was. having a party to celebrate that fact was nice, but not the be all, end all.
8. if you don't stick up for and stick with your own goals and dreams, you'll look back resenting only yourself. my Momma taught me this when i was little, so I have no reason to look back.
9. if the "important people" in your life don't celebrate your own goals and dreams as you do/with you--then they aren't important.
10. those dreams and goals i'd laid out so many times over have already gone above and beyond, and i'm not even 31 yet!!
11. the people who are happy for things that you are happy about are keepers- the rest will always treat you like an acquaintance for whatever their reasons are. don't try to figure them or their reasons out- it'll waste your time because they don't have reasons.
12. family is everything- and it goes beyond blood.
13. happiness starts within yourself.
14. having a bucket list could be an addiction. (but this is me- so really, any list is an addiction!!)
15. green tea makes me happy.
16. i'm a procrastinator, and it is something i struggle with every day. 
17. i can write more than one book at a time. 
18. i wish i could dedicate more time to illustrating and photography, as i do with writing.
19. after 7 years of preparing 1-3 meals a day, i've gotten a hang of this cooking thing! you can tell by my menu blogs thinning out :)
20. i am thankful for everything everyday. seriously. i whisper thank you all the time.

what have you learned this year?

revisiting july 2010

update! Old post, click here:

a while ago, on my post titled 'life goals, take 1!', i had a small bucket list. it has grown and i've decided that if you'd like to feature your bucket list...do it here! send it to me at whosthatgamine@gmail.comand i will post it with a mclinky to your site! happy trails <3

Gone on a blind date


(X)Skipped school

(X)Watched someone die

(X) Been to Canada

( X) Been to Mexico

( x) Been to Florida

(x )Been to Hawaii

( )Been to South America

(x )Been to Europe

( )Been to Africa

( )Been to the Middle East

( )Been to the Orient

( )Been to Australia

(X ) Traveled alone

(X) Been on a plane

( )Been on a helicopter

(X) Been lost

(X ) Gone to Washington, DC

(X) Swam in the ocean

(X)Cried yourself to sleep

( ) Played cops and robbers

(X) Recently colored with crayons

(X) Sang Karaoke

(X ) Paid for a meal with coins only

( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch.

(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.

(X) Made prank phone calls

( X) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans

(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose

(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

( ) Danced in the rain-naked

( x) Written a letter to Santa Claus

(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe

(X) Watched the sunrise with someone

(X) Blown bubbles

(X) Gone ice-skating

(X) Gone to the movies

(X) Gone to the movies alone

( ) Been deep sea fishing

( ) Driven across the United States 

( ) Been in a hot air balloon

( x) seen a volcano

( x) Gone snowmobiling

(x) Lived in more than one country

(X) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets and Mosquitoes

(X) Seen a falling star and made a wish

( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser

(X) Seen the Statue of Liberty

( )Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle

( x) Been on a cruise 

(X) Traveled by train

( x) Traveled by motorcycle

(X ) Been horse back riding

( ) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR

(X ) Been to Disneyland OR Disney World

(X) Truly believe in the power of prayer

(x ) Been in a rain forest

( ) Seen whales in the ocean

(X) Been to Niagara Falls

( ) Ridden on an elephant

( )Been in a car wreck

( ) Swam with dolphins

( ) Been to the Olympics

( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China

( ) Saw and heard a glacier calve

( ) Been spinnaker flying

( ) Been water-skiing

( x) Been snow-skiing

( ) Been to Westminster Abbey

( ) Been to the Louvre

( x )Wrote a book (waiting for it to be published)

(x ) Swam in the Mediterranean (and the aegean sea)

(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game

( ) Been to a National Football League game

(X) Seen a play on Broadway

( ) Been to Las Vegas

(X) Been to Atlantic City

(X) Been to Coney Island

( ) Take the trans-siberian railway through Mongolia and Russia 

( ) Go photo crazy at the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia 

( ) Summit Mount Kilimanjaro 

( ) Explore rural and urban Japan 

( )Eat and practice Italian in Puglia, the heel of Italy!

( )Volunteer at a children's school in Africa 

( )Walk the entire French Route of El Camino de Santiago 

( )Take a polar plunge in Antarctica 

( )Go backpacking through New Zealand, head to toe

( )Walk Across Spain 

( )learn american sign language

( )Visit all 7 continents 

( ) Sing Karaoke in Japan 

( )Learn 'Hello' in as many languages as possible 

(x )Take Dance Lessons 

( ) Go on an African Safari 

( )Volunteer Abroad 

( )Study Yoga in an Ashram 

( x )Whitewater Rafting 

( )Join 'La Tomatina' tomato fight in Spain 

( ) Go on a cruise in the Galapagos Islands 

( )Hike the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu 

( ) Try Shark Cage Diving 

( ) Learn to Surf (sort of...)

( ) Try CouchSurfing, at least once 

( )Learn to ride a motorcycle 

( ) Go Sailing 

( x) Find the best pizza in New York City 

( x) Explore a cave

( )Run a Marathon in another country

( X) Climb a volcano

( ) bite the bullet and go Zip-lining


i hope to accomplish the rest of this list in the next 2 years! 


love me,
the globetrotting gamine

bamboozled.

Hello.
You've been bamboozled.
Rick Rolled.

Whatever that means.

But that is how I feel.

Yes. I am super-list girl. I can organize ANYTHING.

Anything: the mundane like, breakfast, lunch and dinner. (not that food is a mundane thing to ME...I am a foodie, after all!)

Wardrobes, travel plans, appointments, assignments...I've been around and SO in the NOT so sexy way. LOL

I've planned my wedding, showers for friends, parties, homes. I've even redecorated a few out of dire necessity and have photographic proof.

But today (though yes, I did have a lot going on) I feel as if I CAN'T ORGANIZE MY OWN THOUGHTS!

i mean, seriously. what's going on? i've made list after list. i have a huge idea of what i need and have to do.
i can't bring myself to do anything more than what i need to do (like the dishes. the floors. the bathroom. golly.)


in my 30 years, i have learned that there are things in life that i don't want to live without. like love, hugs, snuggles...family, puppy, LML, friends...and a dishwasher. a maid service. a magic wand?

oh...various publishers.

really, there's enough for another list.

so as i sit here researching for my next few books/stories/novels, i wonder...

do other creatives/writers get into this mood?

and don't lie to me. i hate that. :)

love love love
the globetrotting gamine

hmmm..

to the archives?

I was wondering the bloggie world's opinion...

Shall the Globetrotting Gamine continue her blog as is, or archive what's been done and develop another blog?

So many stories, ideas, and travels over here, that I don't want to repeat myself if i move on...but at the same time, 'keep moving forward', right?

That being said, if i should, how would you want me to change my blog.

as always, criticism from friends and lurkers welcome! lol

copycats vs. flattery

(taken from google images who took it from etsy.com. i don't own this.)

you've heard the saying:

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

well, that saying really bothers me.

probably because growing up,

my parents gave me every opportunity

to surround myself with art, culture, diversity

and love...

so i always wanted to be different,

and i was different...

and when everyone in high school was trying to copy each other...

i was still trying to be different.

maybe it was the rebellious side of me, maybe it was just blood...

but ugh, i wanted to be different.

and i was lucky enough to find amazing friends

who loved me for me!

because of this, i hated competition even though i knew most thrived on it.

me, i thrived on to-do lists from the moment i could write.

(my mama thought i was a reincarnated genius- or just a genius)

which leads me to my point-

you like what someone is wearing, writing, reading, doing

and you're friends with them and even if you're not

you wish them all the best,

because you like what they bought to your life.

and then you're hurt because sensitive, trusting you

gets duped by their nasty, though counterproductive to themselves only, nature.

they don't wish you the best.

they don't even wish themselves the best-

they think they're PERFECT and you're crazy

and then they copy you.

30 year old me says-

so be it.

y'all who do this are going to be crazy

with or without knowing me

so please don't know me.

make it your best effort to not know me.

i am honestly flattered,

that people out there

still succumb to copying (almost to the T)

leaders in their field/convictions/community, etc.

and people who are original in everything they do--

it shows who is weak.

it's the way of the world.

so,

go about your merry days--

and copy, imitate away!!

why blog?

why blog?

what's the point really, you think to yourself as you begin to type. is anyone going to read it?

will people enjoy it?

am i going to sell my soul to get more followers?

the truth is, even when i first started blogging

(was it august 2009 or 2010? who knows...)

i wanted to do it for me, not for the fame.

my reasons were this:

• crazy turmoil from circumstances that couldn't be helped at the time (and now i am so thankful for!)
• the inane urge to document everything- which i'd been doing in journals for years
• finally making contact with people who were more like me- something i'd never experienced til that fateful day
• writing- it was always in my blood, and blogging got the juices flowing. it was the clearest time of the day when i was writing.

now i wonder-

who blogs other than creative types like me?

is blogging more influential for people to receive job offers and opportunities?

(it works for some people, truth be told--i am one of them but not to the

extent of others opportunities...it's still amazing!)

my entire life literally changed for the better

upon having a blog.

i have met so many amazing people,

been given so many opportunities...

but even more so, the insights i actually gave myself

have been invaluable.

what a crazy world we live in

when your craft

can transform your life

and fill it with magic.

will i ever rename, change,

give up on this blog?

why?

it's an extension of me.

professional, unprofessional,

way too complicated,

not caring if people like it or me or not...

too many pictures, ideas, memories?

i blog for me.

why would i change myself?

or my blog, for that matter ;)

hope y'all feel the same about your own blogging/writing experiences!

writing...exhaustion?

i know that only my blogger and writer friends will relate when i go over yesterdays schedule...

6:30 to 9:30 am ::: up, get dressed, errands, make the coffee, drink the coffee, clean the kitchen, construct to do list, make the files, pinterest, phone calls, leave the house

9:30 to 10:30 am ::: make sure your ten notebooks are in your extra carry on, head to the gas station for more gas, proceed to destination to meet with writer friend(s)/colleagues

10:30 am to 12:00 pm ::: more tea, writing, ideas, plans, know that either allergies or cold have begun to kick my ass. and buy eggs cuz i ran out.

12:00 pm to 1:30 pm ::: hit places of research for 2 more meetings, pick up snack because i just realized i didn't eat all day, wipe tears from now-exhasted eyes, and make way to parentals house so that i can (sorry) use their bathroom

1:30 to 3 pm ::: get to parentals house and use that bathroom, wash up, eat now soggy snack and down 2 bottles of water, curl up with my notebook and write down even more ideas that have appeared in my head since all the meetings. see family, talk. stretch. get into car to go back home.

3 to 5:45 pm ::: takes extra long to drive home because someone is driving in front of you with no clue how to do so, thus doubling the time it takes for you to get home and use your own toilet because now you have to pee again, run inside and notice that the dog made a stinky you have to clean but you don't care because you still have to pee, so take care of those two things and wash up again AND start dinner. and clean again. and make your to do list for tomorrow. and pour a glass of wine and curl up on the couch, utterly defeated from ideas and the cold or allergies you have comin'.

5:45 to 6:30 pm :::

"woof woof woof" says pup.

"daddy's not home yet, boy."

"woooooooo" says pup.

"but..."

knock knock.

hubby walks through door.

6:30 to 7:30 pm :::

dinnertime

7:30 til bedtime :::

talk. cuddle. bother pup. get harassed by pup to go to bedroom so he can lay on the bed and start snoring before we do. check to do list. lay down and pass out after the big bang theory.

does anyone relate?

firstly...

(from my 'happiness looks like...' album, shot by me!)

i know that writers' have this problem: when they're staring at something for so long or they're reading/researching so much, they stop and wonder..."firstly. FIRSTLY. Hm, is that a word??"

today, firstly doesn't sound like a word.

so, first off i want to thank my bloggie friends- for your kind emails, messages, comments. i love you. you have no idea how happy it makes me that someone reads/looks at my photos/and shares my thought bubbles. thank you times infinity.

2012 has been severely whipping me around left to right. i am so excited about the major projects and opportunities that have fallen across my "now in ruins" office...and thankful. i know that the opportunities are "wow" and that they've come into my life because of the decisions i've made so far.

2012 is my year for being super-conscious of everything going on around me.
things like...what food i put into my body, because after many hours of research what i'd been eating ten years ago really makes me sick to think i did that to myself.
...who i hang out with. let's face it, there are certain people we want to leave in the past and i am so thankful that people have stayed in my past. oh, and there's those people you just have a feeling about? do you know what i mean? like...wow, i've heard all these things about this person so why would i put myself through that?a long time ago i realized i'm past all the small minded people. my friends are so amazing and can pretty much put a smile on my face at anytime. especially my nephews.
...what i read- um, big plus. love love love what i'm reading now which i'll blog about soon ;)

granted, there are major things i need to work on that will make me even more happy, if that's possible. for the past few years, i have had my ups and downs but it's only looking like up's are happening this year.

i promise to tell you about all of these soon. in the meantime, it's back to the writing, drawing and organizing board for me...

how are you??

love love love,
me

2012 Goals

little is better than mapping out a plan of action i think- BUT you have to accept the fact that things might not turn out exactly how you plan. so for 2012, i made the conscious decision that i will be open to whatever is thrown at me and i will rock it. thus, my goals for 2012 are not written in stone and are subject to change:

1. keep visualizing the lifestyle i'd like to lead, even though it's scaring the bejeezus out of me!
2. that one special project i'm waiting to hear back on- rock it.
3. finish writing and illustrating at least 2 more of my children's book ideas- because practice makes perfect and the time is right. (remember, you can find out all about that here)
4. travel more- duh. like you weren't waiting for that one ;)
5. minimize paper and mental! clutter
6. refine blog posts to stories, lists, menu's, photographs...pfft, like i'd ever run out of things to ramble on about anyway!
7. re-do my office. thus needing design and organizational ideas which i love!
8. buy that juicer and juice! juice, damnit!
9. be out of my comfort zone a little more, because i found that it's eye-opening.
10. keep to what my Momma taught me: "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all!"

mmm...
yeah, #10 is going to be a toughie.

hope you're 2012 is kicking ass so far,
the globetrotting gamine

back to greece

(shot by me- greece on the beach, baby)

i hope that those of you who know me...
or who have been following my blog
(thank you! I love you!)
can realize that this picture was taken
way back in Greece.
This was the beach, and spot--
where the LML (love of my life, in case you haven't been following ~:)
wondered outloud finally...

why wasn't I writing anymore?
Why didn't I start?
You used to love it-- what's wrong with you?

My ex-job had been what was wrong with me
and until the very moment this picture was taken
that hadn't been realized.

So with the help of a beach
in Greece
under the sun
with my hubby...

I went back to my roots :)
Quite literally.

how i feel

dear snoopy:

i love you

doodle day

good morning!

hope my doodles bring you as much joy as they bring me!
this one is from my new self published book, Francesca's Boutique which you can find here.

i so love him

how can anyone be unhappy
with such a bundle of joy?

he is my life and i love him.