the globetrotting gamine

adoption from pup's point of view

2012-01-28T08:29:00.000-08:00

hi.
pup here.
how is your weekend going?

i just wanted to share a little story with you.

7 years ago i was born.
and 8 months after that
i was adopted by this really tall guy
who fell right in love with me.

he took me away with all of my stuff
and on a long journey from where i used to live
we pulled up to what he said was my new home.

i was so scared
that he was going to leave me
somewhere i didn't want to be
because the truth is...
i liked him.

so he walked me into this house,
knocked on a door and ordered someone to hide...
and then he set me down on the floor.

doing a quick check-- the house smelled good...
it was decorated for autumn
and even though it was very clean
you could tell that a lot of people were always there

then this new guy yells to no one, to open the door
and i saw this frazzled looking girl
who was suddenly so happy to see me!!

ME!
was this my new home?
were these my new people??
so i ran and ran and ran
for what felt like forever

until i took a running leap into the girls arms
and licked her ferociously
so that i could show her i wanted to stay....

and i wanted to make sure
that the guy who smelled good
knew i liked him, too,
so i ran to him and gave him some licks.

and then the most wonderful things happened.
they scooped me up into both of their arms
and gave me hugs...

and shut the door.

they told me i was home.

well, hello there friends!

2012-01-27T10:36:00.000-08:00

how are you? i hope everything is great in your world!

I am GG's assistant, pup. A lot of you guys know me by name- but that's not important.

what's in a name really?- anyway...

i figured i would wake up and stop by to say hello

Hiiii

since my Mama is working on this huge, huge

writing and photography project

and has been on the phone booking appointments

with VIPs

for the last two days.

i'm sure she needs lots of help and support,

and even though i don't have thumbs, i inspire her

as much as i can.

so please leave a comment

or a note

for me or my mama!

and we will get back to you as fast as we humanly can

since we may be on a tiny hiatus...

sending out lots of love

and cookies to my pup friends--

Vasi the Pup

why time warner sucks

2012-01-26T14:05:00.000-08:00

i'm just going to list a bullet list as to why no one should even go the time warner route. it would be better to just keep reading books!

you process a payment and they STEAL money from the account more than you AUTHORIZE! i mean, really? with a confirmation number even, it's still your fault is it not.
you speak to individuals who really couldn't give a crap. what happened to the customer is always right? pfft.
you try to fix the mistakes that they've made. do they ever call you back? no. does one person ever call back- maybe- only to leave you a message that they cannot do anything. REALLY- BUT YOU CAN STEAL MONEY THAT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU?
then somehow, it's your fault. You've been paying bills for the last 15 years out of your own pocket and through the telephone but your fingers didn't type 200.00, they typed in 523 and change!!
where is there a supervisor when you need one?
oh good, now i'm on hold again.
is there anyone in your department that CAN help me? of course not.
thank you for trying to fix the mistake. i'm sure i will hear back from you ASAP. NOTTTTT
two days later, i have no money in the account because time warner decided to steal it and you still haven't fixed the mistake.
two days later, the paperwork from the first phone call that was supposed to fix the mistake wasn't processed!!! WTFFF
not like i expected it to be since you have mine and someone else's money.
hello! one supervisor who understands my plight and tells me to fight it with the bank.
off to the bank with my family i go! for an hour- since it's time warners fault!
had to call time warner again because they still haven't called me.
on the phone for another two hours- definitely spent 12 hours talking to them this month. do they want to pay my phone bill? yeah, right.
figured since i'm on the phone with them to downgrade my plan because they suck. they transfer me to a person who does not accept what i have to say because i am saving $16 on my present plan. WTFFF LISTEN TO ME!!!
back to the supervisor. it's going to take another three weeks!
i plotz.
life happens and the $523 is back in the account. YAY for good banks!
i try to pay that $200 when they cut my service the next night...
IT WON'T ALLOW IT TO PROCESS!
THERE IS NO ONE IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO FIX IT!
THEY WENT HOME!
i have no cable.
CAN YOU WAIT ON HOLD PLEASE?
sure, 42 minutes of my time is nothing to you people. why not?
there are other mistakes on your account!

YOU'RE THE ONES WHO MADE THE MISTAKES!!!! YOU YOU YOU

TIME WARNER, really?

don't do it.

firstly...

2012-01-25T12:49:00.000-08:00

(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

an open mind

2012-01-20T06:46:00.000-08:00

[christina rozeas photography 2011]

((note:: obviously, this post never posted when i told it to!! thank you for reading and understanding!!*))

how many times do you just know your mind is completely open? you know that you are the one who observes more without judging, who is consantly hearing that little voice in his/her head?

how many times do you come face to face with people who are totally close minded for some (whatever it is) reason- and you still want to kick them in the treats even though you know you are judging?

that's me.

i am completely aware that some situations are less than sunny, and that it takes a certain type of person to be a certain kind of way- but yikes, some people.

so this year i think my resolution should be to push these people completely out of my mind. i mean, let's face it- they have enough drama going on that they've only created themselves- what do they need my kick in the treats for?

it wouldn't help 'em- i can tell you that.
as for me- i cannot wait for 2012. we've already celebrated so many fun events in the past few days (only 9? cheeeee)

what do you do to keep positive? please let me know
bring it on, baby.

2012 Goals

2012-01-19T06:51:00.000-08:00

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:

keep visualizing the lifestyle i'd like to lead, even though it's scaring the bejeezus out of me!
that one special project i'm waiting to hear back on- rock it.
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)
travel more- duh. like you weren't waiting for that one ;)
minimize paper and mental! clutter
refine blog posts to stories, lists, menu's, photographs...pfft, like i'd ever run out of things to ramble on about anyway!
re-do my office. thus needing design and organizational ideas which i love!
buy that juicer and juice! juice, damnit!
be out of my comfort zone a little more, because i found that it's eye-opening.
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

at this point...

2012-01-18T06:38:00.000-08:00

i obviously don't have the most conventional of jobs. or, conventional life. see above photo for an example.
isn't life funny? you plan and plan and think it's going to turn out a certain way because you were so sure you were doing things right.

well, life doesn't always turn out the way we plan- and sometimes it turns out better, albeit the stress.
if you sit quietly and reflect for a little while, you begin to notice the whispers and the nudges in certain directions- it's like a guiding hand from the great beyond.

you begin to notice that when you ask for things, you receive them.
you notice that and wonder how odd that the universe chose now to give you answers.

me, lately? it's going to sound crazed, but so much has been going on that i definitely have been sensing a presence in my house, all around me, all the time. It could be warm inside and outside and my house will be as cold as ice, there's noises coming from the kitchen, the tv turns on and off- everything more than usual.

sometimes, there's a light smell in a certain area of the house like flowers or a sweet perfume and other times my puppy likes to stare at nothing at all.

i like to think that it's my Grandma watching over me, trying to take my mind off the stress and cobwebs in my head.

does this ever happen to anyone? you can say that i am totally alone here, i don't mind :) but i'd really like to know your similar stories {{hug}}

ain't life grand?

2012-01-12T13:55:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting at home in the semi-dark.
My puppy is woofing from the couch and 'friends' is playing in the background and it just occured to me:

i am incredibly lucky and i have been my whole life. was it because i was happy despite getting bullied and crazy people?

totally happy childhood- friends, parties, activities, vacations...people who cared in general. the most picture-esque neighborhood in the world is where i was raised and i thank my lucky stars everyday.

lately i've been feeling like a lot of divine intervention has been going on around me that i am not *completely* aware of, but i have some sort of idea-- cold feet when the house is hot...smelling flowers when there aren't any in my house...the tv having its panic attacks and turning on and off...
anyone else go through this?

anyway-- this year has barely begun and the amount of gifts that have appeared before me are crazy (in a good way!)

ho.ly.cow.

so now i burden you with the fact for the gazillionth time this hour/day/month/year so far i say thank you to the universe for the love and protection it has given me- and i am so happy :)

love and celebrations

2012-01-09T05:45:00.000-08:00

there has been quite a lot of celebrating

going on in these here parts.

it always seems that autumn into winter

brings a lot of events, birthdays and anniversaries

back around into our lives

and i am always stopping to reflect

those who have been here before us

and who are still protecting us from above.

it seems as if every celebration we have,

even if it's the littlest moment

like baking cookies together

or giving our puppy a squeeze,

our gratitude towards the universe

brings us even more gifts.

i am so thankful for my life-

shelter, water, food,

a husband who is without a doubt my soulmate

and knows me better than i know myself;

a family, who in the words of 'lilo and stitch'

is still good,

and friends that i couldn't even have dreamed about 2+ years ago

who i am convinced made their way in

when the negativity was thrown out the window.

there is so much to be thankful for in everyday

that i hope you look for the good in even the smallest moments-

because it turns out that

those are the ones that matter.

love me,

the globetrotting gamine

love...

2012-01-06T10:28:00.000-08:00

love looks like this

a life lesson at 30

2012-01-04T06:40:00.000-08:00

the one most important thing i've learned in the 30 years i've been around?

don't be afraid to go out and *live!

one flat island

2012-01-03T08:20:00.000-08:00

when we had arrived

in turks and caicos

i realized the island we wound up on...

albeit beautiful, was one of the flattest places i've ever seen...

and i've been to quite a few places!

we had a lovely time in turks and caicos,

swimming

tanning

munching on snacks

and drinking the local beers

that we almost didn't want to come home.

(eventually, we figured we had to because we missed our puppy-baby way too much)

this beer was rather heavy for our tastes...

i got way loopy!!

maybe next time i'll try another!

love me,

the globetrotting gamine

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T05:02:00.000-08:00

thank you for being

out there

and there for me :)

your e-mails, and notes,

and occassional comments <3!

mean the world to me.

this year around here is going to be huge!

i honestly thought that 2010 and 2011

were pretty big-

but i'm seeing everything going on now

and i'm thinking....

SQUEEEEE!!!

I love you guys,

thank you thank you

and ps-

if you leave comments,

leave them for my little nephews

who are wonderful and gonna work with me on huge

projects this year...

along with my puppy :)

loveeeee

vineyard visions. sigh.

2011-12-28T07:54:00.000-08:00

vineyard visions...

during the winter,

i especially miss

spending the weekend

in long island wine country

with the best friends

a girl could ever have...

and i miss picnics :)

merry christmas!

2011-12-25T08:16:00.000-08:00

wherever in the world you are,

merry christmas and happy holidays

to you and your loved ones!

i hope that this holiday season

keeps you in high spirits and

brings you blessings of love, health and happiness!

love me,

the globetrotting gamine

something in the air...

2011-12-24T10:12:00.000-08:00

family 2008

family 2008-n-family now- we changed quite a bit!

nothing changes but everything changes :)

no- i'm not wearing makeup. you noticed correctly.

there is something about
getting ready for the holidays
that can't be beat.

we don't feel the same way about christmas morning
the way we used to as little children
waiting for santa to magically leave you
a giftie under the tree...
or in your stocking.

now, for most of the people i've grown up with
a lot of us have our own children,
or dote on our nieces and nephews...
we live for watching their eyes light up,
and watching them squeal with delight
at a new toy that they really, really wanted...

of course, as we get older--
us without the children
have to endure hours of 'why me?' conversations
and arguments of ' why aren't you putting more on your plate?'

but in the midst of all that-
through the drama, and the card writing,
friends we love, and others we'll never see again...

through the sights of Christmas movies,
songs,
memories...

we'll always remember family.

merry christmas eve <3
do good.

christmas ha-ha

2011-12-20T10:40:00.000-08:00

"hey.
i think someone's snapping a picture of us."

"eh?"

seriousness
going on
during christmas
2008.

lol...
i love my boys!

christmas V

2011-12-19T10:43:00.000-08:00

ooooh christmas tree

oh christmas tree

how evergreen your...

treats??

what treats??

are YOU ready for christmas yet?!

christmas past IV

2011-12-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

christmas 2008

leaves my heart hoppin' around...

it was the last christmas

my Grandma was home with us

before she moved to a rehabilitation center...

but she was an amazing woman.

loved:

cartoons

wrestling

beer

family

breakfast

stuffed animals

soap operas

the price is right

jeopardy

wheel of fortune

doing the laundry

and so much more...

so cool.

so, christmas 2008

was one of the coolest ones

ever.

christmas past III

2011-12-17T09:54:00.000-08:00

our first 'married' christmas tree

in our first home

and our happiest memory surrounding it

was our new puppy, my total inspiration,

who enjoyed eating the tinsel

while decorating.

so out of our new home

and new lives...

we, of course,

trek to greece

for our honeymoon.

where EVERYTHING

was beautiful...

and happy...

and though it was not our first time in greece seperately-

it was our first time there together...

we felt as if we were on top of the world.

and i was only 24.

us being babies,
never detered us
from our hopes and dreams
and what we had to go through
to reach them.

5+ years later and
all the better for it--
our present selves
would love to tell our past selves
to hang in there...

because our lives
are
amazing.

we're so blessed.

christmas past II

2011-12-16T06:49:00.000-08:00

we didn't know it then-

but christmas 2004 was a huge deal!

we were about to move out

in a few months-

and i was about to be married

in less than one week!

we knew life was going to be changing...

and quickly, at that...

so we tried to keep up as best we could.

this was the predecessor

to a very busy year.

this was also the year

i received my nephew as a gift...

but his mama wanted him back.

gosh darn it.

christmas past I

2011-12-15T06:01:00.000-08:00

2003.

our family was growing with almost

each passing year.

this was my youngest nephews

and now-best friend

first christmas with us.

note what a happy baby he was...

he loved it when LML would pick him up

and "fly" him through the air.

note how much we've all changed!

geez!!

i think that's the best part

of what christmas photos show us-

growth, love, and happiness.

any given morning...

2011-12-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

(photo borrowed from pinterest-- which i can't get a handle on.)

on any given morning,
if you are standing outside my door
you can hear the tv on
and me puttering around my kitchen.

maybe you'll hear the birds chirping
or cats meowing in my yard.

the smell of coffee
and baking bread
will probably knock you off your feet-
until other aromas will float around
by late afternoon
in preparation for dinner.

maybe you'll smell
the laundry being pulled from the dryer
in a fresh but heady scent...

or the smell of paint
coming from a long-worked on craft
in my office.

of course, you'll hear the vaccum
and my puppy barking or
running around

maye the shutter of a camera i'm playing with
and definitely
the endless clicking of me
typing away at this keyboard-
a sound that is as familiar to me
as my husband's key fitting into
the lock

or my puppy's "moof" noise
at the prospect of getting more belly rubs
from his other best friend.

eventually you'll hear us chatter,
plates and utencils clinking,
laughter and the plop of us sitting
on our inviting couch
after the dishes are put away.

all of this makes home
and for all of this
i will always be grateful, thankful
and blessed.

drool worthy

2011-12-12T12:17:00.000-08:00

elie saab.

holy crap.

enough said.

(ps- i'm not a big shopper

or fashionista...

but...

yes. drool)

wish i was here!

2011-12-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

(shot by me. somewhere in the world.)

have a wonderful

colorful

productive

relaxing day!!