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!!

more ch-ch-ch-changes

(this was taken 1.13.13- about a month after we shaved it all off. now, i have renegade hairspikes and it's growing in slooooowly. gosh darned chemo.)

cancer sucks ass. isn't life crazy? it seems that when it has just about kicked you into oblivion, it turns around and opens your eyes to more opportunities, and eye openers like never before.

dear universe, i've been listening. i know i should have spent more time out of the house and out of the gym. i'm excited about my upcoming 2nd chance at life and ready to totally do things differently- again. i've also learned, or re-learned, that one is ever-evolving and ever-learning and that love is the only thing that makes the world go round. i've learned, despite what's happened, that i love my body and must do whatever i have to do to protect it. the family and friends who constantly check up on me- i've always known that they were the real 'thang' and still so, so thankful to have such thoughtful, happy and beautiful people in my life.

things i'm so excited to do:

• more time with family (incl. LML, nieces, nephews, parentals, sisters, etc.)
• movies, especially beautiful creatures, despicable me 2, and watching breaking dawn 2 with my daddy!
• get a manicure and pedicure- finallyyyy (with nail polish from whole foods i'm kinda excited about)
• going back to work (i.e. books, magazine...)
• vacation, all i ever wanted...
• to do lists of things to do--issues, yes, I gots 'em!

with the upcoming blizzard, i've visited some stores and the library in preparation. we are almost good to go. movies, candles, food, books- check.
with chemo coming up this week, i know i'll be getting in a lot of sleep so i know i'll dream up more opportunities and projects to keep myself busy.

hope no one gets hit hard with the nasty weather, and stay warm, happy and toasty!

love me,
the globetrotting gamine

Chemo-Winter Activities

Well, chemo last week almost killed me since they administered the bleo-the most toxic to the lungs- when I already had only 75% of my lungs working. I hallucinated, vomited, passed out- not in that order- and it was not fun nor pretty. My poor hubby...

Now, I have a pleural rub- which means my lungs are so inflammed that they rumble when I breathe and are KILLING ME to take a breath.

With the temperature being what it is in New York- about a 10 degree average- I'm under house arrest. This is what I've been doing---

• organizing the kitchen
• re-organizing the closets
• getting rid of clutter and things we don't use
• creating storage under the beds
• playing with recipes for the crock pot
• catching up on my correspondence (i loved being a pen pal when I was little, an addiction that has never truly gone away...)
• cleaning out the clothing drawers...
• gathering ideas for menus
• gathering ideas for travel and other activities I get to do when chemo is over (my new rule, that i'm VERY excited about- is at least ONE NEW THING EVERYDAY to do, be, or have, or make...)
• making appointments for my book discussions and thinking up/working on more book ideas
• watching my hair grow in like a chia pet...

At this rate- chemo will be completely over April 22nd, unless my 3rd pet scan (sometime in March) comes up COMPLETELY clear- which is what i am praying and hoping for...

the good news--- my 2nd pet scan showed that 70% of the disease/masses/whatever my body had is gone!!

GONE GONE GONEEEE

I'm still freaked out that this happened to me and that it happens to people. There should be a non-evasive cure for all cancers. I know it's out there.

In the meantime, I'm also excited about my hair growing in- and about the pixie cut I shall have! I was never ballsy enough to do it myself, but now...well, it's on it's way.

So keep toasty, send me light and love, and have fun out there for me...

love love love to y'all...

whirlwinds

here are some photos-

from our exciting trip to Barnes and Noble the other night!

We are proudly displaying Images of America: Greeks in Queens-

my first 'not-by-me' published book.

What a privilege to have my book on the bookshelves

next to so many awesome authors-

It was one of my happiest moments

and there's so many more to come!

And see that guy in the photo?

I love him, i love him, i love him.

life: twisty turny, part 1

it's no joke that october is always a crazy month for me.
it really, truly is.

after a wonderful bout of illness, antibiotics and medicine, i have [finally] gotten back to my old self!

first off, i've been booking appointments to doctors. all kinds. ugh. moving on.

timeline'd:

• my book was released October 8th. Here's the facebook link here...it's been listed on 

1. amazon.com
2. arcadiapublishing.com
3. barnesandnoble.com

(the links should take you exactly to my book!)

• i'm doing a wholesale quote on 50 of my books if anyone wants to purchase them! e-mail me at whosthatgamine@gmail.com for details.
• i've booked author signings! another huge milestone for me- please check my facebook page for details.
• one of the most exciting things about this month is that we've celebrated our 12 years and one month dating anniversary/church-wedding anniversary. 
• in december, we celebrate the fact that we got married 3 times before we turned 25! we like to think that it's a huge milestone and to celebrate again...
• we're going away at some point in december! that means some more crazy adventures with my soulmate.
• then, there's halloween based fun. isn't that enough?
• my 'book launch' is this weekend.
• we are shipping some book packages off to family and friends in Greece.
• i've been working on my other book ventures- children's books, fictional novels and historical/pictorials. basically, i'm working on my empire around the clock.

there are so many celebrations to be had, and so many things to do before we bring in 2013. I will definitely be posting and hope that you'll follow my craziness. 

you're all awesome :)

love me,

the globetrotting gamine

september madness

i have a confession to make:

i seriously, without a doubt, love september. So many reasons why float around my already cluttered brain:

• the weather
• autumn decor
• crunch leaves under my boots
• punkins' (i am aware of misspelling)
• sunsets
• the harvest
• sunflowers
• apple cider
• pumpkin everything
• plans with great friends
• autumn autumn!
• the peanuts gang
• back to school (notebooks! pens! yay!)
• back to baking
• and the biggie- my BIRTHDAY!

It's my birthday month. Actually, in a timeline? I started going out with my hubby (again) in September, a lot of friends birthdays in September, we adopted our puppy in September- it's just a month where change is accepted and can't really be complained about. 

I LOVE SEPTEMBER! Here's more reasons why:

preparing for my book launch! 

(quite obviously this is not me, this is a screen still from The Mummy: Curse of the Dragon Emperor. Ultimate Inspiration. Property of the above (the mummy movies!) )

Sleeping in with a huge comfy comforter, and a small comfy dog. He wears shirts in the autumn. Yep. Shot by my loving husband. Geez.

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!!!

ha.

So, the writer in me has something new going on. Apparently, breathing comes as naturally lately as writing does. Literally.
Ha.
I've found that writing is actually the key for me to keep my mind straight, be it a list, a blog post, a chapter or drawing for one of the 15 books I'm working on.
By the way- by 15, I am not exaggerating. Definitely not by any means exaggerating. In fact, I've cut back on   quite a few novels and have narrowed everything down to 15. I figure by the end of 2014 I COULD be done, IF I get an agent or a publisher interested in (at least) the trilogy I'm writing.
I guess you can say that writing has become a bigger part of me than I thought would be possible.

I guess, with my schedule and everything coming up, it should be expected that I am a little more stressed than usual...because usually, I'm not stressed at all.
Usually, I leave everything up to the universe and it all works out for me in the end...but yes, anxiety has set in for me at the age of 30.

There is so much to look forward to, that I know my to-do list, as short (compared to what's going on) as it can be will collect dust anyway.

So here are a teeny list of my goals for this summer:

• visit some museums i've not been to, and write/blog about them
• figure out places i've been to i haven't blogged about.
• blog about the books i've read this year, which will be no easy feat.
• maybe knock some items off my bucket list
• get just a smidge more organized!

what are your goals for this summer?

love me,

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

life is...

me and my best friend in '09

freaking awesome.
i'm sorry that i have been so vague- there has been so much activity going on in my neck of the woods that it's CRAZY!

i have been clocking in office hours trying to hit my deadlines- and most times, not even that feels like work. when i'm not in my office, i am re-planning it's layout, constantly working on these projects, and catching up with friends and loved ones.

i am truly, truly blessed and could not ask for anything more.

happy news:

• having beer at a brewery is the funnest thing ever!
• seeing friends over coffee, lunch, brunch, dinner or whatever it may be is flippin' awesome.
• i have so many books to catch up on after i am done with said projects, that I cannot wait to post my reviews.
• my projects are...

wait for it...

almost complete!! woooooooo!!

i have to get planning this huge things going on for 2012. i am seriously considering opening a p.r. agency at this point :))

hope y'all have a happy monday! and thank you for your kind words through e-mails and facebook :) 

more than i can chew?

hello, friends.

pup here...

keeping you company

while Mommy is singing and happily working on her lists.

see, a lot has been going on-- people coming by, likely to see me.

so, i'm happy, too.

i've heard and travelled with Mommy

with colleagues and to meetings and appointments- 

i have to say, she's a busy bee.

so i KNOW this constant hustle and bustle

lead her and my Daddy to all sorts of conversations--

and they are excited!

yeah, about me. it has to be about me.

then again, i always bite off more than i can chew. 

i think mommy is happy with me and

also, with more books in the works? 

new plans? 

about me or for ME?

my parents are so cool.

is there anything new

in your world?

how are you?

did you bring me a cookie?

woof,

pup

life

things i love about life today...and no pictures are needed, i assure you :)

• puppy kisses
• everything falling into place, work-wise
• people who care about me and each other-- my closest group is made up of the most amazing people and for that i am truly thankful
• books
• tea
• My Mommies
• my husband, who was created for me and of this i am certain!!

hope you're having a happy wednesday!

hi.

how are you? yes, it's been a while. please allow me to explain...

i have been battling my computer battery charger- to no avail. today, we seem to be up and running however and it feels like so much work has piled up around me.

i have been working for a new publication- more about that soon. I have been incessantly in and our of appointments, writing articles, reviewing products, all the while illustrating two of my children's stories which I plan to self-publish as soon as humanly possible. The fact that the computer kicked the bucket for about a week caused an upheaval of drawings, sketches, clearing out clutter from my house and working on paring down the massive to-do list LML and I shared.

We've been doing a good job, honestly. Thank God for that man's work ethic, especially after I got my left wisdom teeth removed. Egads.

Hmmm- what else has been going on? A few story ideas have mind-warped me, causing a bevy of loose notes, and memo pads held on my cell phone and other devices. I feel as if I am a constant sponge, absorbing everything at the drop of a hat only to bring out the creativity in another way.

Spiced ApplePear Butter? Made that.
French Course? Taking one ;)
Banana Breads of all kinds? Yay.
Wine tasting- again? Yep.
Working on selling photography- and it's catching on! Love tweeking these skills. Check.
Organized everything into one teeny binder? Done.
Notes on blog posts? Check.
Inspiration Notebooks? complete. organized and check.
Cleaned the whole house completely, as if it was my life's work? You betcha.
Pulled Pork in the slow cooker, speaking with publishers, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Of course, there are photos to follow.

Thank you for your concerned e-mails! The pup is wonderful- he is enjoying his fans on his facebook page.

We hope you're totally happy, and keeping happily busy...

~the globetrotting gamine and gang

much love for james van praagh

(me! probably taking a break from reading on the balcony)

his website here...

Book Jacket Bio for Unfinished Business:
James Van Praagh is the New York Times bestselling author of Ghosts Among Us, Talking to Heaven, Reaching to Heaven, and Healing Grief, among others. He is considered a pioneer in the mediumship movement throughout the world. His messages have brought solace, peace, and spiritual insights to millions, changing their view of both life and death. James has also been a celebrated producer for CBS. creating several successful projects including Living with the Dead, a mini-series based on his life, and a television movie, The Dead Will Tell, starring Anne Heche. Currently, he is the co-executive producer of the highly rated CBS series Ghost Whisperer, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt.


ok...i love him. i think his work is amazing and the fact that he shares a lot of his work and his thoughts and ideas in his books is incredible.

better yet- he grew up near me in new york and i'd like to think he's familiar!

I figured that i'll be sharing much of what i thought were greatly interesting ideas in concepts from his books on my blog because everything rings so true and a lot of it is very touching.

since last week i may have read 3 of his books. i was a ghost whisperer addict (and i love jennifer love hewitt!)...and always have stories about the other side :)

love love love james van praagh!

travel-theme giveaway!

I love to travel, and I know a lot of you lovelies do as well!

Summertime is the most perfect time for new experiences, isn't it?

In honour of the start of summer vacation, I wanted to giveaway a book of travel tips:

And to make it seem more like a present than a prize, I will send it to you the prettiest way I can!

To Enter:

To get this informative little guide from me, leave me a comment on your

most memorable vacation moment or tip.

Then next week,

I will announce the winner...

yay <3

Extra Entries:

please leave a separate comment for each one you do

1) Tweet about the giveaway

2) Blog about the giveaway

3) Be a follower of the globetrotting gamine

Ends July 15th.

Good luck!

Enhance Your Life via Kimora Lee Simmons

One of my favorite indulgences is going to the public library.
Reasons:

• I can pick up as many books as I want and not spend a fortune.
• I don't feel bad if I don't read one of the books I have picked up
• Every writer needs to read A LOT= library
• um, summer heat and air-conditioned library. Enough said.

so i picked up Kimora Lee Simmons' book Fabulosity because, let's face it- the woman's made it. She's freaking awesome! And her life lessons: inspirational.

What intrigued me about this book the most was this part...

The Fabulosity "tough-soft woman-warrior"way

1. If you have one good friend in life, you're lucky. You don't have to have ten and don't tell everyone your business. Women can't always be trusted. They will screw you over, take your stuff, and go behind your back. You hear it all the time from women, how their friends or even their sisters betrayed them! I have a few friends that I've known forever, a couple from high school and from early modeling years, and that's about it.
2. Cut off dead boughs. Saw off old friendships and ties that hold you back. Such as people who think you've gotten too big for your boots, have sold out, or that you're snobby for moving to a new neighborhood. If they're not going to celebrate your success and push you higher with their applause, ditch 'em. You don't need bad energy bringing you down!
3. Walk toward your fears. Just like that girl in the junior high cafeteria, sometimes you have to turn and face the thing you're frightened of. I was scared to get on a plane and go halfway around the world with my kids recently, even though I used to travel nonstop. I had gotten out of the practice and was anxious about all that could go wrong. (same thing with cartwheels: used to be great at 'em, but now too scared to try even one!) It's crazy. So I made myself get on the plane and go without thinking about it, because to let silly fears hold me back would have been weak.
4. Put out positivity. I definitely practice the discipline of being positive. To everyone who walks in the office. I give a hug or say something like, "You look great today!" It's  a preventative measure to kind of fill the air with good vibes, like creating a positive force field and putting out what you want to get back. Because God knows somewhere somebody is saying something negative about you, and that affects you even if you don't hear or see it.
5. Hold your tongue. The mean words you say will hurt everyone and the effect of putting out negativity does take a toll on you. Just stop it! Bite your own tongue and be one less negative energy in the universe. If you don't have something good to say, try to shut up. And if you don't have a genuine smile to give, fake one.

It turns out that the past couple of years have been huge years in my life. I'd done what I'd never thought I would do- like believe in myself enough to self-publish, to travel to places I never thought I'd go to (though I'd always wanted to go), and say good-bye to people who's life goal was to make other people miserable by trying to administer control over them somehow.

The truth of the matter is, the only person who controls your life is you. Moreover, the only person RESPONSIBLE for YOUR life is YOU.

Not your mother, father, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, friends...you!

When you don't own up to anything, and you don't claim responsibility for your own actions you really have no room to grow. I am so happy that I learned the lessons these last few years have taught me- I wouldn't be where I am right now.

Loving my life and pushing to live it and make it better.

So what if you have to cut out the negative energies in your life? If you would rather be nasty and icky vibe-d, that's fine.

But no one deserves abuse. And everyone deserves happiness.

things going on today:

• mini photo shoot for pup
• mini photo shoot for me ( pictures to follow)
• attacking the to-do list, full force
• continuing with the books/stories i've started
• the gym or yoga. i am still undecided
• start on some jane austen books
• re-vamp my office- find ideas on how :)

what are you up to today?

love me,
the globetrotting gamine