@ the Luichiny Shoe Party @ Magic Tradeshow (Feb 15, 2012). Vintage dress w/ headband by Heather Petrey.

@ Magic + TeenVogue Blogger Lounge

Despite the fact that I got a speeding ticket on my way to Vegas to attend Magic Fashion Tradeshow…I got a picture with Betsey Johnson. That already is epic enough. I’m not trying to boast, but one day, people will also line up for 2 hours to take a picture with me.

Some highlights from the show-

+ Desigual- live painting on free t-shirts (hot spanish guys painting your shirt while you’re wearing it)

+ Luichiny- shoe party

+ Teenvogue – blogger lounge, now bloggers are the new press (probably they’re better marketers than pros)

+Brazil Lounge @ Project- I love the Brazil lounge at Project. They highlighted local Brazilian fashion brands and gave information about going to Brazil on a press/buyer tour.

+ VIP lounge- spent 2 hours eating and drinking mochas/cappuccinos there- just because I love to eat good food.

Quote from a friend of a friend- “Wow, she’s a struggling entrepreneur? She looks really glamorous for being a struggling artist”. My reply “entrepreneurs know where to get their resources for free, borrowing clothes from friends, thrift shopping, and reusing/recycling”. Any struggling entrepreneur tips- feel free to comment!

Support your local artist here: http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com

Follow me on: http://www.twitter.com/Rebekka_lien

I admit, I couldn’t sleep because for 30 minutes this fiery, common thought came to my mind “I’m 24, I’ve worked hard, how come I’m not getting paid what I’m worth?”

2:11AM- my birthday (2.11).

My thoughts suddenly ran wild, sparked by the madness of  the question-”should I get paid minimum wage to work at a boba shop, something I’ve always wanted to do (work at a boba shop- NOT get paid minimum wage)?” This question trickled into the question of “wow, I paid $50 per hour for 10 years to learn the cello and then I paid another $23,000 times 4 to go to fashion design school”. What is my return on investment- I’m not sure…being under-appreciated, underpaid?

I decided to throw off my covers and blog before my thoughts drove me mad. Suddenly my body craves the coffee I didn’t drink during the day.

Let’s do a rundown of how much an artist would spend……

1. Cello lessons- $50 for 10 years. 48 weeks times $50 -$2,400 times 10 years= $24,000

2. fashion design College tuition- $23,000 times 4 years- $92,000

Of course you have to take into account all the gas and supplies. But $116,000 estimated in my case. Thank god I was a good writer, this got my tons of scholarships.

Proverbs 31:31 says-  “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” 

I believe it’s time for artists, women to stop complaining and demand a fair wage, fair pay for their art which they have toiled and spent tremendous amount of money to develop. Thanks to a friend I recently met- he told me “I see a lot of talent in you, you need to capitalize on your strengths, you shouldn’t have to struggle”.

Nothing, nothing is impossible
No one can hold us down
We, Yeah we are unstoppable
Cause nothing is impossible
ohh ohh No nothing is impossible ohh ohh
oh nooo oh noo

If the door doesn’t open
Don’t wait use force to knock it down
Ain’t no time for mopping,
No, the moment is right now

Real talk you can touch the sky
Make no doubt about it noooo
Real talk you can sit pan high
make no doubt about it nooo
Real talk we do it for the youts, another generation
You are strong enough to meet your destiny say

Dreams.

Yah, I know about dreams. I dream about my dreams. I wake up with a story in my head, about my dreams.

I am a dreamer, I am a doer, I listen to my spirit and when the season says to wait, I wait. This is with extreme hardship of NOT getting off my ass and doing, cuz I’m a doer. Oh, I know about dreams. I know what it feels like to bleed for my dreams.

I know the discouragement and depression of jumping out the box, the norm of sanity.

Oh, I know about dreams. I know about insanity. I know how it feels like when people look at me with the expression of “she’s insane, why she be doing that?”, the feeling of being questioned, interrogated, misunderstood. Babe, don’t tell me I don’t know about dreams.

I know how it feels to bleed for my dreams. I know how it feels to work out of little resources, to feel the humiliation of not being able to afford food. To say “hold up”, I can’t meet up cuz I don’t have a penny to spare. Don’t tell me I don’t know about dreams.

I bleed for my dreams because I believe in it, I believe in myself and the potential my dreams have. I gave birth to them, everyday I am giving birth to new ideas and I aint letting them fade. I grab onto my ideas with my whole being, I may despair and lord knows (my friends) know my daily ups and downs, crying one minute, laughing another (the joy of being human- emotions).

I know about dreams, the world is so big inside my heart, it’s bursting forth, unable to contain itself. It’s creating worlds around me, atmospheres and people are influenced by them.

The seasons are changing and dreams are birthing, it was not an easy child birth- trust me.

I bled for them.

The best dreams are bled for, not handed to you. 

Thank you to all those that have supported me during this birthing stage. You will be blessed 10 fold, I promise- the child is a world changer.

Do you have any dreams that you are willing to sacrifice and bleed for? If so, what and what is stopping you? Remove all obstacles (fear).

How many times have you lost hope, lost passion, lost direction in life? 

I can say I’ve lost passion and hope numerous times….actually numerous times in one week.

My aunt passed away this week, I went into a time of mourning, but also frustration. My life seems to be so hopeless and with each day that goes by, I am constantly worrying about my bills. Even though I had reached an epiphany of peace, I realize that “sometimes the hardest things are difficult because they’re worth fighting for”. Thus, peace is hard to keep because it’s something you have to fight for.

Sales have been painfully slow too. Yet, I don’t want to revert to a pattern of endless scrambling…when will that day come, I ask myself?

On the phone with my close friend the other day, I complained “I just feel like my life is getting boring, so what that I have my own business, so what if I make sales, what’s the point. I don’t feel like I’m doing anything epic”.

She replied “Epic, well you can’t expect to do epic things everyday. Everything you do is building up towards what is epic, but everything is an important step to it“.

“Oh, you’re right”. Thus…epic things are boiling, but they have not come into fruition yet.

Even though I haven’t reached that so called “success” yet- I want to share some tips for you, those that are toiling away hopeless and feeling defeated in life.

1. Do have supportive friends that encourage you- do not hang out with negative friends.

2. Find inspiration- read a book or talk to inspirational people that have similar hardships or have ALREADY overcome

3. Leave your normal surroundings- I’m going to Norcal tomorrow, I think I really need to get away and be refreshed

4. Believe in yourself- recite mantra “anything is possible”, “I can do this”, “If Einstein did it I can too”, “

5. Have times of reflection and meditations- I like to burn candles, light incense and play reggae. Endless striving will only lead to burn out, so reflect each day.

6. Eat, Play and Be Merry- Yes, eat good food and your soul will be nourished. Do what makes you feel alive & what makes you feel alive will lead you to where you need to go next.

As my friend said “luck is preparation meets opportunity”.

SHOP- http://myworld.ebay.com/gugibabu & http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebekka_lien

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebekka-Lien/206081989431609

Me in Germany

“when you are used to being the queen, it is hard to consider democracy replacing lone rule”- tracks

“For many outback people, the effect of almost total isolation coupled with that all-encompassing battle with the earth is so great that, when the prizes are won, they feel the need to build a psychological fortress around the knowledge and possessions they have broken their backs to obtain. That fiercely independent individualism was something akin to what I was feeling now- the stiffness, the inability to incorporate new people who hadn’t shared the same experience. I understood a facet of Alice Springs, and softened towards it, at that moment”- tracks

I tend to read books that happen to mirror my thoughts, my season of life. Robyn Davidson was a heroic woman who set out into the outbacks of Australia with camels by herself. I can’t tell you what happened in the desert yet because I’m only on page 75. However, the quotes above hit home for me. I live in this very environmental, hippie, vegan lifestyle, conserve everything neighborhood called Silverlake. I love meat and I don’t hug trees, but I have become used to living a communal lifestyle of sharing and living simply. Because I’ve started my own business and have to pay bills, I pretty much live month to month.

When I walk into grocery stores and shopping malls, I feel like a foreign alien. Some of my thoughts include “omg, why are people wasting money on nonsense?”, “I feel like an alien right now”, “so many people walking around”, “why do the same race congregate together”. I have slowly become some type of modern monk, but a woman. I haven’t bought groceries for 3 weeks and I borrow all my books.

Sometimes I feel myself relating to this: “That fiercely independent individualism was something akin to what I was feeling now- the stiffness, the inability to incorporate new people who hadn’t shared the same experience.”

But when I’m eating with friends that don’t live the same lifestyle, enjoying music, dancing to house music with them- I realize, we are all the same, just human with feelings and a spirit. You can choose to be prejudiced or you can choose to dance the music of life with people who are vastly different from you.

My 3-4 months of cleansing, building a new identity in being, and conversing with God has been taxing at times. Sometimes I find myself oversleeping, sometimes mad and impatient of waiting, sometimes bored, sometimes overwhelmed with my business, sometimes wishing my business was doing better, sometimes wishing I had no debt, sometimes worried and depressed from loneliness, yet…I know that nearing 24, this is a pivotal time in my life. This cleansing process is worth the journey. It is it’s own reward and hopefully (cross my fingers), next month I’ll be a better person, a more soul-filled, settled, rested, peaceful person who can love and BE better. I’ll be a better person for the world.

Lately I’ve been thinking, wow, I’m kind of bored. I mean I have great friends, but many of them have moved, and well, I don’t feel intellectually stimulated. Life is getting too mundane or something. I’m working on my business, freelancing, but there’s nothing too out of the norm (in my opinion of course, because most people would say my life is not mundane, it’s too eccentric). Because I’m literally broke due to investing in my business, and can’t really go out all that much…I’ve been inspired to “think outside the box”.

Ways in Which I have made friends:

1. Tumblr.com- yes, I have met someone in Australia and became friends with through tumblr.

2. Yelp.com- I’ve shout out for clubs in Boston and made a friend who was a promoter, and got to get VIP status when I got there. Had the most fun at a gay club.

3. Modelmayhem- collaborating on shoots, became friends.

4. On the street- yes, I talk to strangers on the street

5. Clubs- I like to dance with strangers as well, especially if they’re good dancers. I have met really cool and interesting people at clubs (not creepers).

6. On airplanes, buses, public transportation- when I sit next to anyone, they become my friend

7. Cafes and Starbucks- wear something interesting and people will compliment on it- or vice versa, compliment other people and you might just become friends. However, I find that some people are so antisocial, they’ll say “thanks” and end the convo by walking away.

 ”You totally just missed your chance to be friends with someone SO unique and SO cool, too bad for you”- I think.

8. Hostels- great place to meet travelers, however, since I live in LA, no more of that BUT not to worry, me be planning another trip very soon!

9. Parties- this I find tricky because at parties, I feel like I can never sit down to talk in depth- and in LA for some reason, people never follow up.

10. COPY shops- yes, copy shop not coffee shop. Best ever.

11. At the bank- yes became friends with the banker

12. Email- find someones’ blog appealing? Email them and say “I want to be friends cuz you’re so awesome”.

The key is – the other person has to have the desire to be your friend.

Friendship is a two way street. You can never force friendship. This leads to my inspired 2012 MEETING WEIRD AND AWESOME PEOPLE year. I need to meet more interesting, weird, nonconventional people. So the answer to “why you should become friends with strangers”- what is life about? That’s the answer.

Feel free to email me and connect- rebekkalien@gmail.com I’m always up to meet people.

Photo shoot with Jessy Dodd

The other day I went on a crazy photo shoot day- I drove out to Costa Mesa, thank GOD NO TRAFFIC! Zoomed there in 40 minutes, got my makeup done- thanks to Roxanne Galan (amazing makeup artist and of course, will be my future makeup artist. People get on my good side now cuz I’ll be BIG someday, not just big in Japan, big everywhere). Had an hour photo shoot, then drove back to Silverlake to grab my cello, then met up with Jessy for another photo shoot at a cool looking church, then drove up the mountains to shoot there.

Probably the most tiring day of my week, but also invigorating.

Then I had this BIG awakening the other day. I’m almost 24, that was the year that I thought I should travel the world. It’s the perfect year of crossroads, freedom and identity. I finally have nothing, no obligations, no big responsibilities, no “family” (though my friends and fam will always be there)…so I had several ideas!

1. Travel the world as an Asian Gypsy- bring my jewelry to sell (see how far I can go…)

2. Bring no money, like, maybe 100 bucks, and see what happens.

3. Teach at camps

4. LATIN AMERICA!

5. Go to Taiwan to finish the ending of my book (this will be a surprise)

6. DJ! Finally, hopefully. It’ll be great to tour………

The last months I learned to let go of identity based on my work, income, and to do list. I learned to live in the moment, be, and love people for who they are. I am learning to appreciate the good of people, and not focus on what they’re not doing right.

Shop- http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com/

Follow Me- https://twitter.com/Rebekka_Lien

FACEBOOK PAGE-http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebekka-Lien/206081989431609

“Tonight we are launching an effort which holds the promise of changing the course of human history”- Ronald Reagan

“If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won’t, you most assuredly won’t. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad”- Denis Waitley

A lot has changed, pre – Australia and post- Australia.

I knew that every time I got on the airplane for a trip overseas, seasons of my life would change, pages in my book will flip. None of the changes in my life are subtle, they are drastic, refreshing, sometimes slow…yet, still always huge and intense.

1. I’ve been 3 months into my jewelry business
2. I’ve met tons of people randomly, at the copy shop, on the streets, in cafes, online, you name it…
3. I worked for a gifts company freelance, at times working 9 hours straight and meeting lots of people through it
4. I’ve danced a lot coming back
5. I’ve sort of settled into stable relationships and learned to nestle instead of bounce around
6. I’ve been living month to month for the last 3 months, at times suffering, yet most times, gaining wisdom from my circumstances.
7. I’ve found PEACE in “being”, instead of finding identity from “doing”. Out of “being” I have been able to rest even when I don’t know what’s coming next, even when all I have is this feeling that “something big is coming”, an opportunity ive been waiting for…this is contrary to what our society tells us…”waiting is bad”- says modern aged Americans. Waiting can be daunting if our identity is in “what we do”- but once we realize we are worth “THE REST”, we will live an overflowing life. It really hasn’t been that long since my freelance “free life” has begun, I’ve subbed taught violin, taught sewing lessons, baby sat, sold clothes on ebay, sold jewelry, sold clothes at consignment shops, hunted for coins (found 20 plus dollars in coins!), gotten lots of miracle money, brought “my trunk store” to parties and gatherings, and met tons of people that are vying for the life I now live.

Even though I have a few cents in my bank account, no health insurance, and no savings. Am I scared? No. I’ve never been happier! I’m going to prove to people that the American Dream isn’t what gives you happiness and that freedom can’t be bought, freedom begins in your soul, not in your circumstances!

At a goth club, I don’t fit in.

Now we fit in.

Follow my adventurous life- you won’t be disappointed. https://twitter.com/Rebekka_Lien

To continue reading my blog and see me succeed in life- shop ze store- http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com/

Adios! Rebekka

I’m relaxing while the rest holds weapons of fear, wondering whether to attack or not. But I’m far away and safe in the river and beds of waters.

What if, what if, what if..they ask?

I’m already there- but I’m peaceful as a bird. The what if’s have happened, and I’m laughing and dancing still. I’m not on land, only on waters, but the current is taking me where it will, not according to my will- but according to destiny.

There is a land inside of my soul, my temporary body. The waters are flowing and the greens are lush, trees grow and flowers bloom. My outward being ages each day, but my inward being ages with wisdom, growing stronger each day.

I love these 25 beautifully illustrated thought provoking questions-

http://www.marcandangel.com/2010/03/29/25-beautifully-illustrated-thought-provoking-questions/

Perhaps sometimes living requires a submission of your soul into the universe, allowing a higher being to lead you into your true destiny. Perhaps knowing that you’ll be alright and not caring about what people think.

It is silent.

There were bees in my room, buzzing around a light, I couldn’t figure out why I was asleep with bees in my room.

All the venomous spiders roamed around weaving webs, strong as cords, bouncing from place to place.

The ocean rippled and roared. I sat silently trying not to wince.

“It is in the silence that you will find God”

I gave up looking, striving, finding, searching because I don’t know what I’m looking for, not sure what I want either.

Perhaps I simply want to find peace, to be at peace with myself.

Even when the droplets of water start blurring my vision, storms making me sick and cold, even when I find myself alone in the boat.

I want to find my soul settled, when I dip my head into deep waters, hold my breath and let go. Peace my child.