Interesting Read

As with most of the years, I enjoyed this year's winning essay from Glamour magazine's essay contest: I Chose to Live by Maia Morgan.

Check it out here.

My favorite quote was at the very end. It resonated with me:

But here's the thing: I don't think you move on, really, from the past. You do, but you don't. You carry it with you. You make it as light as you can. As light as feathers.

Today, I am grateful for so much. Life is good!

Rachel

The Glamour Awards Recap

Highlights from beginning to end of the Glamour Women of the Year event night:

-Getting picked up in a special car with a driver

Walking the red carpet and having photographers yell "Rachel, look here"

Hanging out in the VIP Suite

Meeting Kara Walker

Meeting Nujood Ali and Shada Nasser

Sitting in the front row!

-Seeing lots of inspirational people walk right in front of us or be on stage so close

-Hearing lots of touching things that left me feeling inspired

-Getting to tell Condoleezza Rice 'Congratulations' as she walked by at the end

-Speaking with CEO of global Chanel, Maureen Chiquet

and so much more!

Today, I am grateful to have only one more class to make it through, for getting to eat healthy food again and that the food doesn't cost a fortune (like nyc), for hope, family, friends and God.

R

Medical (Possible) Drama

The Glamour Women of the Year Awards last night was super amazing and I will promise I will write about it (and show you pics) as soon as I can but the last few days (while in NY) my finger and hand have been numb, tingly, etc (scary b/c these are symptoms I've had when I was diagnosed in the past). I put off thinking about it until this morning on the way to the airport to come home and called my beloved Dr (and also got very worried-thinking about the past and the worst). He had me come right in-straight from the airport.

He's treating it as carpal tunnel for now. I'm going to wear a wrist brace for a week and watch the symptoms closely. I would be so relieved if this is all it was-something that can be managed. But of course, I think we all have concerns of what it could be...and I am too exhausted from the past few days to write much more.

Stay tuned...

Here's a preview of me on the red carpet-http://www.patrickmcmullen.com/website/pmc_screens/Event_selects.aspx?page=6&Event_ID=13074

Today, I am grateful for an absolutely great weekend, for family, friends and God.

Rachel

Tonight's the Night...

for the Glamour Awards! I can't wait!!

We are having a blast in New York- last night we got into town, met up with my parents, found some semi-hard to find burger joint, walked through Times Square around 10pm, got ice cream, etc.

Today we've seen the Van Gogh exhibit at MOMA, had lunch at the famous Carnegie Deli where the portion sizes are RIDICULOUS, and walked around.


Read a super nice post by Erin Zammett Ruddy on her blog, Life with Cancer today:

http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/life-with-cancer/2008/11/an-evening-with-tyra-condi-hil.html

Love you all and thanks for making this happen!!

Today, I am overflowing with thankfulness...

Rachel

Wow...

What a week...

-We buried our precious niece this morning (it happened to be the same cemetery one of my best friends through cancer, Randi, is buried so that was really sad but neat they are buried in the same place).

-The Glamour news is now public and I am so thankful to everyone and all the kind words and support-THANKS!! It has been hard to keep up with emails, texts, phone calls, etc (sorry!)

-I have a major acceptance review on Friday for the art department at my school- a bit stressed about that...

-Sign up for and figure out classes for Spring Semester

-Normal classes

-Getting ready for NY

-Training at my new part-time/holiday job

-Was honored to be a guest on The Stupid Cancer radio show on Monday (thanks Matthew!)

-The election!

-Babysitting

-The wedding of a good friend of ours on Saturday...

Yeah, back to all that I go...

Today, I am grateful for the busyness of life and somehow fitting it all in (usually), for wonderful family and friends, and God

Rach

GLAMOUR'S WOMAN OF YOUR YEAR

Thank you everyone for all your hard work and votes-it paid off! I am so grateful for each and every one of you!

I was voted as Glamour's Woman of Your Year!! Next week, we will be in New York City for the Glamour Awards ceremony and the article should be in the December issue of Glamour (on newsstands soon)

Here's the page on the Glamour site: http://www.glamour.com/women-of-the-year/2008/woman-of-your-year-rachel-lozano

Thanks again.

Lots of love and gratefulness,
Rachel

PS-Continue your voting power tomorrow!!! Don't forget!

CRUNCH TIME

The Glamour contest ends this Thursday, Sept. 4th. Please spread the word one last time and try to vote til then.

https://secure.glamour.com/magazine/sweeps/woman_of_the_year_2008/entry/long/

Thank you everyone for EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will talk to you soon...leaving soon for my 'secret location'. ha!

Rach

Urgent Glamour Contest Update

Many of you may have gotten an email today saying: "Thank you for voting for Your Woman of the Year. We are sorry that, due to a technical issue, we were unable to accurately collect the votes. In an effort to correct the issue, we are starting the vote count over to give each woman an equal chance to win this honor.Please resubmit Your Woman of the Year vote. You will still be eligible to win a fall getaway to Alberta, Canada even if you choose not to resubmit your vote. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Sincerely,
Glamour.com"

I understand this is very frustrating but if you would please continue to vote each day and spread the word about this, I would be so grateful.

https://secure.glamour.com/magazine/sweeps/woman_of_the_year_2008/entry/long/

We'll show them that we can overcome obstacles (as usual!).

Sincerely,
Rachel

Inspirational speakers: those that address audiences with the aim of inspiring the listeners to higher values*

*-definition from Wikipedia

Reporting back from my quick blip (roughly 24 hours) of a trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to speak to some medical manufacturing salespeople...

Honestly, they were a great group that I felt instantly comfortable speaking in front of! It was a smaller group than usual but that was nice-more intimate. We were joking around before I ever began. I told my story and then gave lessons about life that I've learned that I think can be applied to most people's lives (similar to the commencement speech) and tailored it to this particular group.

Also a plus-I joined the group for dinner afterwards and got to know them better. I had a great time listening and talking a bit and getting to know some of the group over grilled salmon and veggies. I cannot forget that white chocolate cake either-mmm-it was a fun end to the day (plus some Olympic women's gymnastics back in my room...).

Before heading back today, I did manage to peel out of my hotel/resort bed early enough for a small stroll on the beach before heading to the airport...I'll let the pictures do the talking...




On the flight home, I was browsing the new issue of Glamour and saw a page detailing the contest! Very nice :). I thought of everyone and smiled!

Today, I am grateful for life's experiences, meeting new people, coming back home afterwards, family, husband and friends that all support me, being able to touch others, and GOD!

Rach

Why Winning is Important to Me

Besides being naturally competitive-I played basketball a large portion of my life and then field hockey, soccer, track, etc.-there is more to winning this Glamour contest than just competitiveness.

I think it gives the young adult cancer community-and cancer community in general-a place to be heard. It allows me to touch more people than I am now. I think one of the reasons I am still alive is to help others.

I think it can show what you CAN do as a survivor (and not the limitations)-not just of cancer even, but of other illnesses, diseases, etc. That the illness and its effects will remain for a long time and for a lot of people like me-forever. But that life goes on and you must deal with it.

That there is a way to give back to people and being open to others' battles in life and by doing that, you heal yourself in some ways.

I think it's really important to advocate when I can for people :).

If I win, I really feel it will be a victory for all of us because I will be thinking about how a bunch of amazing people-many I've never even met-stood behind me and supported me.

Thanks again.

I'll leave you with a quote I heard the other day on the radio about being bald-

"I am not losing my hair, I just am getting more scalp in!"

Today, I am grateful for support, friendship, amazing family and hubby and God.

Rachel

Wow. Thanks!

I cannot thank everyone enough for their support in the Glamour magazine contest (if you could see my face-I've been grinning a lot!). This effort is going farther than I ever thought possible and it's only been 24 hours!

I have been getting comments/emails from people around the globe and the number of visitors on my blog yesterday went up by 500%!

People have been very supportive on Facebook (Thanks Diana for setting that up) and posting super nice things on their blogs (you know who you are-THANKS!)

Keep voting daily (and maybe more-we're unsure yet but you may be able to vote more than once a day) and spreading the word!

All the info is in the post below or in the upper right hand column of the blog!

Today, I am grateful for all friends far and wide, family, support, and God watching over it all!

Love,
Rachel

GLAMOUR VOTING BEGINS!

Hi everyone!

I need your help and it's pretty simple. My friend Kelly nominated me for Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year contest. I ended up being one of 5 finalists (it's based on charitable work)!

The public decides the winner so I hope you can vote and also spread this to people you know! Feel free to forward it via email, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc :)

The link for the contest is: https://secure.glamour.com/magazine/sweeps/woman_of_the_year_2008/entry/long/

VOTING Looks to be as MUCH AS YOU WANT TIL SEPT 4th!

There is a Facebook event (feel free to use it to send out the word!) set up at: http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?guests&eid=32220966997#/event.php?eid=32220966997

There is also my website if anyone wants to know more about me: www.obsessedwithlife.com

Feel free to leave questions!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Love,
Rachel

Small Glamour Update

From Glamour itself- They have been trying to get the web team to try to put it up but haven't gotten a concrete answer when it will be up-hopefully some time this week and they'll let us know when they hear something!


Thanks everyone for your patience!

Today, I am grateful for friends, family, life and God.

Rach

Update on Glamour

Just because I know everyone is wondering, I am not sure what the status is on the Woman of the Year contest. It is not up yet, that I have seen and I have not heard back from my contact at Glamour magazine.

I will keep you in the loop and let you know what to do when it's time (and where to go). Thanks!!

Rach

The Time Has Come to Reveal the 'BIG news'...

My friend/practically sister, Kelly, nominated me for Glamour magazine's 'Woman of Your Year' contest (thanks SO much, Kelly). The contest rules said this-

Who is your Woman of the Year?

Tell us about the unsung hero who's making the world a better place--whether she's a teacher, a doctor, a community activist or a cop. She could be featured in an upcoming issue of Glamour.

Glamour's Women of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on high-achieving women who inspire us all. But there are plenty of women whose amazing work never gets recognized.

Who inspired you this year? Write a paragraph telling us her name, her age, how you know her, what she's done this year to help others beyond your immediate family or circle and what impact she's had--whether she's saved lives, gotten legislation passed or raised awareness for a cause.

Well...I have been speaking to people at Glamour on and off for the past week and I am one of 5 finalists!!!

Starting on August 4th, voting will begin on the Glamour website-where the public (this is where you come in ;)) will decide who the winner is! I really appreciate if you would spread the word on your blogs, to your friends via Facebook, MySpace, email, whatever! Thanks so much :). I will definitely put up more details when I become aware of them!

Click here for info from last year's star-studded event!

Today, I am grateful for so much love and opportunity, for amazing friends, family and hubby, for God's graces.

Rach

Interesting Take on Cancer

Last week I came across an interesting essay written by a young adult (27 year old) with cancer. It is the winner of Glamour magazine's annual essay contest (that I actually entered too).

This woman, Andrea Coller, and her story are not your 'typical upbeat cancer story'. She's very real and I appreciated seeing someone write about their true feelings. I can relate to some it and just enjoyed seeing someone else's view. Amongst her angst, I still see hope which shows itself differently in everyone.

Warning if you read it, some of it is pretty detailed with raw accounts of medical stuff and it's pretty sad but also inspiring.

Here's the link: http://www.glamour.com/news/articles/2008/05/essay_winner

(and yay to Glamour for featuring a story about a young adult cancer survivor!)

Today, I am grateful for: a really fun and belated dinner tonight, exams coming so close to being over (thurs.), a wonderful weekend, and so much more, God, friends, family.

Rach