Category: Uncategorized

How To Look Like A Teacher When You Look 14

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Hi Friends!

First off, I want to thank you for following my blog! It means a LOT to me, especially since I’m going to publish a book soon (just have to write it since I have no idea what to write about specifically). THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for listening to me talk. I got 49 followers on July 7! Must be my lucky day.

Second, today’s topic is: How To Look Like A Teacher When You Look 14!

If you are young hearted, you probably do look 14 anyways. I look 14 without makeup and the appropriate teacher clothes. Since I am going to teach a sewing camp this week, I wanted to give YOU some tips on how you can look like a teacher.

1. Wear makeup– I surely am a feminist, woman’s rights kind of girl, but without makeup I look 12 sometimes. There were times my 12 year old students had makeup on and actually looked older than me. Yah, kids grow up fast these days.

2. Wear some kind of flowy, business-like shirt– because they don’t wrinkle. When your shirt wrinkle, you are telling the world you don’t know what you’re sayin’. Your students can’t help but stare at the wrinkles.

3. Don’t look confused– yes, don’t look confused. Look like you know what you’re talking about. This is very important, even if you forget something- have the “I know what I’m doing” look. Otherwise, you lose legitimacy right away!

4. Do know you are the teacher, even if the students are older than you- Unfortunately, ageism DOES occur. At first, older students who can be my mom’s age will ask me where the REAL teacher is, or they’ll give me a skeptics’ look. Don’t be afraid. Speak with authority….and

5. Finally, TAKE THINGS LIGHTLY- The great thing about teaching is that you are THERE TO CONNECT with your students, not to just look like a teacher. Thus, whatever age you are, it’s best to know what kind of life your students live, what they like, what justin bieber songs they listen to, and who they are crushing on on tv. It’s better that you’re cool with them, then they are bored by you. That’s my advice anyway.

Most students love me because I like to connect on their level and I believe, treating students like human beings makes all the difference. DUH! Woohoo!

What do you do to look like a teacher?? Comments very welcome!

What Would You Do If TODAY WAS YOUR LAST DAY LIVING?

On By Rebekka LienIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Yesterday I had this huge huge awakening. Something in my mind clicked after watching my Korean drama. I was so wooed by the romance in the drama that I thought to myself, why am I wooed by a drama, and not by life? Why am I not living out how I want to live?

Then I started journaling. I wrote an entry on why I am awesome (you should do that as well, it made me cry).

An excerpt of what I wrote: “I am awesome because I am extremely intelligent. I am beautiful, smart and wise. I am hardworking, creative and unique. I have a mind of my own and a heart of gold because I care for the poor and the oppressed. I’m funny, joyful and optimistic. I don’t let hardships get to me, even when they come, I persevere”.

WHY ARE YOU AWESOME? Write it down and you’ll be surprised how happy you’ll be.

Then I wrote WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF TODAY WAS YOUR LAST DAY LIVING?:

1. Apologize to anyone I ever hurt

2. Forgive everyone who’s hurt me

3. Smile more, laugh more

4. Take things lightly

5. Talk to family, appreciate them

6. Appreciate my friends and bf

7. Go outside more, watch the sunrise, go to the beach, enjoy nature

8. Say what’s on my heart and be thankful because this day IS A GIFT.

Most of us live life like it’s going to last forever. In fact, I do believe our souls live for eternity. However, our lifetime on earth is short. Recently, I realized how much had taken life for granted. I was complaining, discontent, mad that I had to go through so much longsuffering to become a successful artist. I was mad that I had taken such a unconvenient path, not knowing exactly where my money was coming from, living an unstable life…comparing myself mostly, and not ACCEPTING MY GIFT AND DESTINY.

Then I went for a walk. I became thankful for nature, for the silverlake reservoir, for all my friends and family that have been through EVERYTHING with me. I had so many breakdowns, I can’t remember how many times my friends have comforted me. I remember how money showed up in weird places, how my boyfriend took care of me when I was sick, how my mom cooked for me when I was broke, and the list goes on.

I’m truly thankful and I want to live each day like it’s my last, without grudges, being thankful ALWAYS.

What would YOU DO if TODAY was your last day living? (comment below)

Would you dance like no one is watching? Karaoke at the top of your lungs cuz you don’t give a shi#!?

Art Night Sale & BRAND NEW NEVER RELEASED ART!

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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If you live in the LA area, come out tomorrow or Saturday to see loads of original art. Not only can you buy your own piece of art, you can meet the artist too! (such as me).

For those that don’t live in Los Angeles – you can buy your own print of my art below!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rebekkalien

For a beautiful and original piece of art, you only pay $15 and up. Purchase a $1 frame and voila, you got a beautiful wall art!

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$20 for an original art print

I have also been working on creating HANDMADE JEWELRY!

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Contact me if you are interested in the jewelry, I am selling them at the ART SHOW first.

Otherwise, visit my STORE for delectables! http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com

 

My First Photo Journal – Mi Nombre Es Rebekka

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

My First Photo Journal entry! ….the end says “but I have FAITH!” You can contribute to my volunteer trip here.

I just had this ingenious idea right now and decided to share my journal with you. I’ll be posting doodles as I go to Ecuador and Brazil. I won’t be bringing my laptop due to safety and well, my mac is my life, so I’ll be handwriting all my experiences. These doodles will eventually become a little book that I’ll sell and all individual doodles will be for sale on Etsy!

Today, I went to Healthy Traveler in Pasadena to get my yellow fever vaccination. I had a moment of squeaking before I had to sit down and get the shot. I was anticipating a long drawn out shot, but it literally was a stab in the arm and VOILA it was done! Cha-Ching $154 please. Throw-up. Yep, the cost of traveling to a 3rd world country is much higher.

Furthermore, I found out I actually leave ON Mother’s day, the night of (1:30 ish am). Here’s a poem for ya’lls.

Push and pull, our story goes. I’m holding back, a flood of emotions, allowing the gift that is me, space and time. The essence of doing nothing, waiting feels like a suffocation. Though, each moment, I’m breathing, being in the present. He once said, breathe and pull yourself to the present since all you have is now.

In the gift of space and time, trusting that love is true even when words are not spoken. This is my dilemma. Why is it so hard to just be? To give up trying and receive. To give up pushing so you can push forward. To let go and breathe, letting love be free, flowing, not suffocated or silenced. Now I know that love was never easy, love was never just admiration and immature play…love is, more complex, more present, more simple. It is a dichotomy that can only be learned through experience.

How To Achieve Your Dreams Without Any Initial Money- Advice From A Broke Entrepreneur

On By Rebekka LienIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Growth- get the Art Print here! 

I woke up this morning, light pouring into the room. Yesterday I completely transformed my room. The bed is now in the middle and my desk near my graffiti wall. I’m sitting at my newly transformed bedroom/office.

Last night, I got to dance with my friend at a goth club on Wilshire. The whole time I was trying not to laugh because my friend and I are used to house/electro music, not every other beat goth music. I thought about how I just spoke at the Latina Blog Conference and how I am going to Ecuador and Brazil in two weeks. I thought about how my writing has been published and how I’m starting to get PAID to write (FINALLY). I thought about the close knit circle of friends, the support I have, the abundance of vitality that is my life and the beauty that exists within my life….

And all this, when I was broke as hell. 

A lot of entrepreneurs don’t talk about this because well, it can be embarrassing. Yet, I’m so proud of the hardships I went through. For 3-4 months, I was totally unemployed. I had no financial support and was penny-less, I ate rice and vegetables only and sold whatever I could to survive. I went to peoples’ houses and brought home left overs, you get the picture.

Out of my lack of financial stability, opportunities to be creative flooded my mind. I wonder why Darwin never talked about creativity, because creativity is essential for survival.

Many of us say “someday when I’m rich, I’ll do this or be that”.

Mine was: “someday when I’m rich, I’ll help people and empower them by giving them jobs”, “someday when I’m well off and meeting important people, I’ll dress nice and be the powerful woman that I am”…etc.

I then realized, the day is TODAY, now.

I’m not 80, I’m not retired, I don’t have health insurance, life insurance, retirement fund, and or a savings account. I guess you can call me impractical. I’m 24 and what I said when I was 18, has come true. Whatever beliefs I carried in my heart has birthed. Whatever lies I let go of has lost its’ grip on my life. When I was 12, I was such a dork, I wore uncool clothes and wrote about deep philosophies. I never thought I could become famous for my creativity and talents. I never thought I could be in a relationship because I was way too unlovable and unattractive.

Today, I don’t believe those lies anymore. I am super attractive, creative, talented and I know in the near future, I will be making big bucks doing what I love.

Be, Do, and Have (not the other way around).

Don’t wait until your life is perfect to be or do. Life will never be “perfect”. Allow the little you have to kick start your dreams and present reality.

I decided to go to Ecuador to see my sponsored child 2 months ago. At that point, I was also broke. Starting your own business means months of 0 discretionary income. The moment I booked my one way flight, the universe aspired to provide the resources and people to help my vision. I met a girl from Ecuador who drew a map of Quito for me and explained where I should go and who to call for emergencies. Up until now, the people who have given to my trip were people who believed in me (you can give too)! I have only $2,000 to raise in 2 weeks!

The power does not LIE in the resources and the finances you ALREADY have, the power to achieve your dreams lie in your HEART to ACT. Do you ever wonder why people get to where they are? It is because they believe in themselves, believe in their vision and take the first step to go for it….and of course, THEY DIDN’T GIVE UP despite how damn impossible and desperate it seemed at times.

So do you have a dream? And what is it? Comment below!

Remember, achieving your dreams is not about striving. It is an outflow of being, that means you may have to rest and do the hard thing of WAITING. Note also the reason I say, “initial money” is that eventually you will fund your dreams by building your tribe who believe in your art, work & vision. The key is to DO what is impossible, when nothing is evident, there is no proof, there are no resources- once your mind says “I CAN” then EVERYTHING in the universe aligns itself to help and equip you.

Guilt Binds, Love Sets Free

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes do this thing where I guilt-trip people in such a subtle way that I don’t even realize it myself. And vice versa, and don’t we just hate it!

“Oh well fine, go hang out with her instead of me”- person says.

“you treat me like the devil, you run away from me whenever you can”- says parent.

And so on. But yesterday, as I was sleeping, I had another dream…this dream showed me how GUILT BINDS, BUT LOVE SETS FREE.

As imperfect human beings, WE ALL HAVE certain EXPECTATIONS of what certain people should do for us, or be to us. Well, our parents should do this and that, they didn’t love us this or that way…our friends should ALWAYS be there for us, our boyfriend or girlfriend doesn’t DO this or that…the complaints continue and as we complain, our view of that person continues to dilapidate into shreds.

Meanwhile, we become negative, we carry negative energy, we complain all the time and only see the negative aspects in our lives.

GUILT derives from a deep-gutted feeling that “wow I didn’t do what was expected of me”.  I hear this a lot “I felt bad, so I…”. Then later, we complain because we didn’t want to do something in the first place, we put the blame on the other person.

But when we live in guilt, we live in bitterness, not an unconditional, freeing love. We live in a way where we are attempting to PLEASE people, not LOVE them. If we really love someone, we would be TRUTHFUL to ourselves and to them. The truth really does set us free (said right, not in a critical demeaning way).

A SIMPLE SOLUTION, too easy to say, yet so hard to do: LET GO

Sweet surrender they call it. It means letting go of HOW, WHEN, WHAT, WHERE even WHO. It means letting go of logic and trusting God to guide you to your destiny. It means saying “I’m a daughter/son of the universe and a higher being will take care of me”.

Letting go means relaxing, enjoying life and letting go of things you couldn’t control in the first place. Though the modern world likes to shove the idea that everything attained is strived for, I like to prove otherwise.

YOU cannot force someone to do things for you, to love you, to romance or even care for you. NO ONE is responsible for taking care of you. What does that mean? Parents take care of us because they love us, not because they have to. No one is responsible for your well being except God.

Lastly, accept all things as GIFTS, not expected actions of love. 

Love, my friend, is a gift. If you let go of expectations, YOU will become more grateful, more thankful, more loving, more alive. You will complain less and count your blessings more.

When we allow people to be themselves, we allow them to give to society the gift that they are. Maybe you do see flaws in someone and want to change them for the better- trust me,  something WILL happen when the time is right, that something will wake them up to make the appropriate changes (you are not god, YOU only need to be the unconditionally loving YOU that you are). How people are should not affect your own happiness; for happiness comes from within.

Please comment! I super appreciate it! Tell me how love has set you free in your life?? 

No Bullshit- Letters To the Sane

On By Rebekka LienIn Uncategorized2 Comments

The need to be normal is the predominant anxiety disorder in modern life. —Thomas Moore, Original Self 

I can feel the wind howling at me, it was all good. If the weather agreed with my inner ranting, then I could say that I was virtually sane.

“I’m saying this because a lot of people are thinking this. Why should I give to her when I have to work 9 to 5 and she gets to travel?”- a family said.

“I’m working too you know. I’m working everyday”- I said.

Does my pieces of art that took me a month to complete mean nothing to the world? Does my writing, my ranting, my art mean nothing compared to staring at a screen in an office all day? Does my longing for beauty mean that I’m lazy, irresponsible, and a complete idiot? 

I sat staring at my coffee, trying to hold back my tears but only hearing the song “maybe you were born with it”. I can’t help that I was born with a vagina or that I have always had this crazy obsession with the outcasted, lonely, weird people. I can’t help that at the age of 14 I wanted to travel the world and obliterate human trafficking; I wanted to run into homes where women were being beaten senseless and bring justice and healing to them. 

After the car started, I wanted to weep. I wanted to yell and so I did. I yelled “MOTHERFUCKER!!!” and then I thought “do you know how many times I prayed that God would take me, or how many times I prayed that I would be normal, have normal desires for a normal life. Do you know how many times I wished upon a star that I wasn’t chosen, that I was just a normal person that could marry young and have kids and age and die? Do you know how many times I wish I didn’t have these abnormal desires to save little children, change the world and be someone really famous and incredible?”

I can’t help that I’m abnormal you know?

And it’s not like I like not having discretionary income. I mean no one enjoys not being able to buy things. So I guess you can only ask yourself, well then why the hell are these crazy people living the way they are- because we really can’t be anyone else dude.

I was encouraged when I saw these cacti today. They were so beautiful, yet they hardly need any water. They can survive the toughest drought and so can artists who see beauty where there is none.

Trash To Treasure, Pre-Brazil Film: Waste Land & Vick Muniz

On By Rebekka LienIn Uncategorized1 Comment

As I was flipping through Netflix, I saw Waste Land with Vick Muniz, the most famous Brazilian artist. In the beginning, I thought I would lose interest, but when they started interviewing the recyclable material “pickers”, my interest piqued. The film turned out to be inspirational, tear- jerking and one that ALL artists and humanitarians need to watch. It is also a great film for those that DON’T understand the importance of the arts, when you watch this film, you will SEE the concrete and soul changing IMPACT that art can do to a community, people and even the government.

What is the film/documentary about? Filmed over three years, Vick Muniz visits the trash pickers of Brazil, in Jardim Gramacho (the largest landfill) in order to create portraits out of trash/recycled goods and to bring awareness, raise funds through the art. His visit turns into a collaboration with the trash pickers, who are inspiring, cheerful, positive people. The catadore (garbage picker) support each other like family; aka someone broke 2 arms and a leg due to being crushed by a trash truck and 20 people donated their blood to him.

By the way, did I mention I picked this movie because that is by far, one of my favorite artworks in history (man in bathtub, dying).

Result of All This? The community was so encouraged, some got to go to London, they got to see the ACTUAL work of their own hands….they realize that they could do something great. One lady left an abusive husband because she SAW herself and her worth through creating art. Art empowered her. Moreover, they raised so much money from the art that in 2012, Jardim Gramacho landfills will be shut down and they will be transitioning to another system. Vick’s efforts has led to a learning center which educates and

You can see the trailer here:

Why Am I Talking About This? This film truly shows the LIFE changing power of the arts. The art seeks to bring beauty and worth to the audience as well as the creator. This film was also vital for me to understand an outcasted part of Brazil, where I will be going May 23 to June 7. Though I have applied for the press program in Brazil, I have yet to hear from them. Watching this film made me realize that perhaps it’ll be okay to pave my own path, whatever that may look like. Perhaps I will meet people on the street that I may become good friends with and teach me about life, I am open to where the spirit will take me.

I can also relate to Vick because like him, I had to work my way up (well, now I don’t think of “going up”, I think of “going forward” since we Americans have such disjointed views of what that looks like). He was born into a lower/middle class family and was relatively poor. One time he accidentally got shot by a guy who had money and compensated him for the wound. Vick was smart enough to use the money to fly to NY where he became a renowned artist.

I don’t think it’s accidental that I watched this film. I have always pioneered to create art that made people think, someday I want to be a successful artist who can help people like that. But for now, I think I’m already doing that, though I can’t see the impact sometimes.

Help me raise $2,600 by May 13 so I can experience the film first hand in Ecuador and Brazil. The leader of the Pickers Association had a dream to have an association, even his family rejected him and people thought he was crazy (even the people he tried to help). At one point, the $6,000 he got from the bank to pay his workers was taken by a stranger who put a gun to his head. He wanted to give up at that point- I started crying because I KNEW EXACTLY HOW HE FELT. You believe in your dreams, but few people do. You meet obstacles and you want to give up. I’m telling you- DON’T. 

“I’d rather want everything & have nothing than have everything & want nothing because at least when you want something your life has meaning, it’s worthwhile. The moment you have everything, you have to search for meaning in other things. I spent my whole life wanting everything, but having nothing. Now I have everything, but I don’t want anything.” -Vick Muniz

Comments are very welcome! Please leave a comment even to say hi! I appreciate it!

8-Bit Grayscale Feature of Me!

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Reblogging Josie Lee’s Post About Me! Check out the original post on her site! 8-Bit Grayscale!

Rebekka Lien & Jeffrey Campbell “PHOTO

Hey everyone!

Recently I bought a pair of Jeffrey Campbell “Photo” in taupe off eBay. I was a bit weary but it checked out. 🙂 I bought them from a very nice lady, Rebekka Lien. When she sent me an invoice she also sent me a link to her webstore, where I learned a lot more about her. I was amazed, and quite impressed. Rebekka is someone many strive to be. She is a true humanitarian donating to various charities all the while sponsoring a child. 
 
You can click here to visit her eBay store (user name: gugibabu). All proceeds from each purchase goes towards Stella’s Voice or Compassion International. These are organizations that fund children’s education and rehabilitate girls saved from human trafficking.
 
She also has a little webstore selling adorable items and did I mention she also paints? No? Well, she also paints, and you can check out her Etsy for some of her artwork. Again proceeds from either place go toward her funding to visit Ecuador to finally meet the little boy, Marco, she has been sponsoring since October 2009! You can read more about her planned trip here. What an amazing and talented person! Please check out her store and help her visit Marco!

Without further ado… Jeffrey Campbell “PHOTO”!

 

I was quite excited when I opened it up to see this. This is one of her prints called “Forgiving Silence” and it is actually one of my favorite ones!! Direct link to it on Etsy here.
 
And again really surprised she included another surprise!
 
🙂 !
 
 
 
 
Yes, that’s a Marvel calendar on that wall!
Rebekka actually wrote a note to me on the back of that print!
I was so happy, I can’t wait to find a frame for it! 🙂
 
 
 
So happy! I can’t wait to wear these babies out 🙂 And huge thank you to Rebekka for being an all around awesome person!

Thank you for viewing! Have a fun lazy Sunday!

Forgiving The Silence, A Trip Called “Coming of Age”

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

“I just missed my flight…there’s no way I can get to New York”- I thought.

My cousin said, well I’m also going there at 1pm, why don’t you stay over and we’ll go over together.

Suddenly, I woke up startled. It was 2 am in the morning. My head hurt from the dream, it felt like I was traveling in my sleep and reminded me of my 3 flights going to Ecuador. Each of my flight consists of layovers, 2 in Panama and 1 in Chicago. My internal being had been semi- processing and stressed out about my upcoming trip.

For some reason, an epiphany hit me.

I’m doing this trip for me. This was not for Marco. As much as it seems like it is for Marco, this trip is for me.

I know it might sound selfish, but selfish can actually be a good thing.

I was thinking about how the trip takes place beginning on Mother’s Day, a birth, a renewal, nurturing of a kid all the way in Ecuador. I also thought about how much I cared for a kid I hardly know. Why did I care so much?

Because a kid deserves to be known, a kid deserves for someone to buy a flight ticket to see him or her. This is something I never experienced. My own father never bought a flight ticket to visit me in America. I am not saying this to evoke your sympathy nor am I blaming my father. Lying in my bed yesterday night, I realize why this trip was so important to me. It wasn’t simply an act of compassion, some moral virtue or guilt trip to help the poor, this trip was FOR ME; this trip somehow symbolizes reconciliation, healing, an act of letting go and living a life different from my parents, different from any circumstances or people that may have hurt me. 

This trip WILL change me. This trip is another Rebekka’s coming of age. I realize my whole life is a story of healing, of power, of passion….someday it will be such an inspirational story of hope. People will read my blog, my book, my memoir and attain healing and inspiration to go on.

Doing things for YOURSELF can actually be doing good to others. Being selfish, reconciling, healing…

Whatever you do is a projection of your inner being. What you complain about is the very thing that pricks you, for a certain reason. What you complain about others may be the very thing you’re scared to become or the very thing that seeks to limit your freedom to be you.

My drawing “Forgiving The Silence” is about my journey to well, forgive the silence. I believe that I’m not the only one. Probably half of all Americans grow up without one parent, or both. Some have never met their dads or moms. I encourage you to be the ones to bridge the gap of silence…or learn to become a parent to someone you never met.

You can purchase the print for $20 @ MY ETSY STORE! 

Or you can also make a direct donation for my trip! $25 gets me one night @ a hostel, $200 covers cost of seeing Marco. $100 covers food & water for a week.