Movie Corner: Fifty Fifty

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is simply amazing<3 Really wanna see this movie!!!

Officially Employed!

So, I've been sick for a about a week now and just when I think I'm recuperating, I get worse, I wake up with an ear infection. Man, it's like it's teasing me! Stop it you illness monster, let go of me already, quit holding me hostage! Hehe, excuse my erratic outbursts, I tend to be completely out of it when I'm sick.
Anywayyy so it's been a whiiile...updates, updates....I have a job! Yep, no more unemployed Lissa roaming the streets. I'm a teacher at a Montessori school. Apparently they're a branch of really good and highly regarded private schools. I had no idea. But what was pretty surprising and overwhelming was how quickly I got the job. I was just randomly browsing daycare centres on the net one day when I came across this number and with nothing to lose, decided to call them and see if they were hiring. Next thing I know, I get a call back from them asking me to come in the next day. Never even realized it was an interview until I was at the interview. 3 weeks later here I am, a new staff member.
The place where I teach is more so a preschool, it caters to children from 18 months of age to 6 years old which is great 'cause I love kids. I work with the 18 month to 2 and a half year olds, the age group people often run away from. Fortunately I have 2 years experience with toddlers and have the patience for them. Occasionally I help out in the older kids' classes come they need the assistance. Now I'm aware this job doesn't really have much to do with my field in the arts, but hey, it's start. Many people don't always immediately get jobs in their field. Some people work their way up. Besides I'm sure this somewhat accounts for social work, right?
Humble beginnings.
The place is a bit far, I take 2 buses, plus the subway. It takes me roughly around 1 hour and 5 minutes which isn't so bad considering it used to take me 45 minutes to get to school as a student, you get used to it. On the bright side, it's a job, I actually like it, the pay is pretty decent, and we get 2 weeks off for the Christmas holidays! Can't complain =)
I'll leave with this video, it's quite hilarious. Hope it makes your day!

Calm After The Storm

Ever have those really weeird days where you go through a series of intense mixed emotions?
I swear yesterday felt like a dream. A lot of interesting things happened and it put me through an emotional rollercoaster (funny that I say this as I literally did go on rollercoasters; we went to Wonderland). Throughout the day there were many tense/stressful moments with certain people as well as complete strangers. I felt intense headaches and dizziness and I'm not quite sure if it was a result of the rides or the intense sun or a combination of the two but it was something I've never experienced to that degree before. It kind of scared me. And on top of everything, I was PMSing. Lovely, I know. Excitement, anger, adrenaline, pressure, frustration. My head was about to explode, I couldn't take it, I couldn't even sleep!
You know what was even weirder? the fact that I woke up this morning and just sensed this calm, a peace that was incomprehensible, it was like the world went back to normal, like nothing happened the previous day. I love that, I'm really grateful to God for it. The calm after the storm.

Ever Wonder?

Randomness..
Did you ever wonder...

• Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
• What disease did cured ham actually have?
• How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
• Why is it that people say "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every 2 hours?
• If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a 'hearing'?
• Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
• Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
• Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
• If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
• Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
• If Wiley E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
• Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
• Why did you just try singing the 2 songs above?
• Why do they call it an 'asteroid' when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a 'hemorrhoid' when it's in your butt?

Speaking of randomness...

Higher Edumacation

First of all I'd like to welcome June, the month that marks the beginnings of summer, the month of promise, joy and ease. I can appreciate summer so much more because we only get 3 short months of it. June also means the start of many awesome festivals and outdoor events.
Moving on lol, I've been thinking about it and have decided that I will definitely be continuing my studies. I won't be going anytime soon, I'd like to take a couple of years off, volunteer, work, gotta save up cash, and then eventually go for my MA.....in Europe!
That's right! I've been looking into it and doing online research, looking up grad schools that offer a Master's in Art Therapy/Art Psychotherapies and surprisingly there are a lot in Europe that do! Initially I was leaning towards France or Italy but I doubt they offer these programs in English, so I finally settled for England. I mean it's a huge step I know but I figure after a few years, I'll be more mature, experienced and ready. Apparently it's tough and intense, but I know I can take it on 'cause i'm not alone. It's an amazing opportunity and it's Europe hello! Lots of people do it or at least would love to. Not to mention that it will look super good on a resumé.
I've realized that I've been really limiting myself, in what I could do/achieve, and I've always been saying that I want to travel or study abroad but I guess the only thing that was stopping me from doing that was myself. I can be such a chicken. I hate being tied down by fear. There's whole array of open options and opportunities out there and I feel like I'm really missing out because I'm shunning them all down.
Well, I now vow to be more open and ballsy.

I absolutely adore their new album!!

Bisous

The Hand Kiss conveys courtesy, kindness, respect and adoration.

Last night, a cute French boy spontaneously kissed me on the hand. I don't think I've ever felt such flattery from a stranger before. It was simply sweet and unexpected. My heart still melts and I smile to myself like a fool when I think about it.
OMG ..I'm such a cheeseball! I guess that makes me a sucker for romance and old-fashioned gallantry. Sighhhh...
~ Lis

Voulez-Vous.. Aha!

I'm super hyped about this coming weekend! I don't think I've ever been to Montréal, I've passed by it on my way to Québec City but I can't recall ever staying there at any point. In fact it was right around this time last year that I was taking an intensive French course in beautiful Québec City. Anywho, this weekend I'm going with 3 other amazing gals of mine. We've been wanting to go for quite some time now, I can't believe the day has finally arrived!! Activities, festivals, museums, botanical gardens, cafés and nightlife...oh yeah, we've definitely gotta make the most of it.

Voilà! 2 songs to get us into the French spirit ;-)

Mission CN Tower Climb

1,815 ft. tall.
147 floors.
Pumped off nothing but a Red Bull, a nasty protein bar, and my own bubbly energetic determination, watch me climb and conquer the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere...
the CN Tower...dun dun duuuun...

My climbing time: 1 hr. 4 mins.

He's So Hot it Should be Ilegal

Sometimes, when I see a very physically appealing man in movies/shows or even in person walking down the street, my heart aches a little. I'm not even sure if it's because he's so friggin' good-looking that I can't help but be a little jealous of his man beauty and apparent perfection (which does happen as weird as that sounds) or if it's the knowing fact that I will never be able to have him. Maybe it's bit of both. 
Sometimes on the subway, my eyes spot attractive businessmen in suits and I ponder to myself, is it seriously humanly possible and legal for a guy to reach those heights of heavenly beauty, so much so that it could manage to provoke intrigue and disgust from me at the same time?? 
Anyway, it's like my heart's arm is hopelessly reaching out to him, knowing it will never be able to touch him, to caress his textured hair, feel his ruggedly handsome face and its features, hold his soft hand, absorb the warmth of his body...
Ok, I'm sounding like a creeper aren't I...
I'm just trying to say that guys like that make my heart slightly yearn and long for them. And I hate to admit that! I don't want to come off as a psycho romantic, desperate, love-deprived puppy, because as I said before, this only happens on occasion and because I realize no guy on earth is perfect and thus could ever fully satisfy the cravings of my soul. Only God could. I'm perfectly happy being single. I don't think I'm ready to get into a relationship for a while, I mean, heck, I'm still maturing and discovering new things about myself every day! Also, I kinda like this feeling of not being tied down and committed to someone. I'm entitled to a little selfishness for now right?


Although I'm not gonna lie, if I saw this fine specimen walking down the street, I would give all that up in a second and lasso him ;-)

Nom Nom Nom

The best 14 seconds of your life...

Sick of it!

I'm sick and tired of being taken advantage of! I'm sick and tired of people using and abusing me!! What the frig is wrong with people now a days?! Have they absolutely no consideration for others?! The nerve of them! Well you know what?! No more! I will no longer be subject to acts of obligation because I am no longer a door mat! Screw them, they can all suck lemons for all I care!! 
Phewww....ok, I'm done.

Evergreen

Mmm, feeling a little environmental...

Evergreen by Yoann Lemoine from Liz on Vimeo.

Music Video Directed by Yoann Lemoine, showing the beauty of nature.

Welcome To The Jungle!

Should I travel? Should I continue my studies? Should I look for a job? 

Ever been at that point in life where you're just about finishing up school and are about to enter the "real world" where you're like holy crap, I'm about to enter the real world, the beginning of the rest of my life and I don't even know what the heck I'm doing? Perhaps? Perhaps not? Well that's where I would place myself right about now.

It's not that I have no idea what I'm going to do, I do know what I want to do, but it's more like, okay, how do I get from point A to point B? There's also the question of do I want to look for a job right away or do I want to do some traveling first? As far as careers go, I've been doing my research and checking job hunting sites but I will admit that I have been kinda lazy as well. I know, it's bad. Maybe I should have made more connections. Maybe I should have asked more questions to be properly informed.
Maybe I should have, what if I had, if only if only if only... too late for regrets =)

Art therapy along with music and drama therapy haven't been very legit or even existing professions up until recently, well at least here in Canada. That could explain why I'm not having any luck finding available positions in the job search engine results. I did however interestingly enough find plenty in the States. I mean, there must be positions here at hospitals, clinics, schools, etc. maybe they're just all taken, or on the down low. I probably need to search harder. Sigh. It's weird being an adult and having a whole new set of responsibilities take a dump in your lap. Responsibilities which your parents can no longer play a part in because at this point they can't decide your life for you.

I heard this would be a difficult time in my life, where I'm smack-dab in the middle of a transition and beginning to make something of myself. I was warned. Change is scary 'cause I don't know what happens next. People fear the unknown, naturally. In fact, we like to play all-knowing gods who are in total control. Ha ha, who are we mere mortals kidding.

On a brighter note, I also heard it would be an exciting time in my life where I would encounter new opportunities, new people and new experiences. I just need to trust that God will be with me and help me get through every stage. I just need to maintain an optimist's perspective.Whatever happens, happens. Bring it on real world!
But first and foremost I need to get my lazy butt off the couch and continue my job search!

Books Galore!

Top 3 fav. books..

1. House of the Scorpion

2. The Host

3. Blindness

 Top 5 books on my reading list..

1. Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill
2. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
4. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
5. You Know Where to Find Me by Rachel Cohn

Thrush

Isn't it funny how you can know somebody inside and out, and then suddenly, they just become an image...

Thrush from Gabriel Bisset-Smith on Vimeo.

An entire relationship told through photos in four minutes.

Directed by Gabriel Bisset-Smith and Graham Turner.
Written by Gabriel Bisset-Smith
Music by Golden Silvers

Top 10 Concerts

Originally I wanted to list my top 5 but honestly there are just too many dang good bands and artists out there. So these are my top 10 concerts worth punching an alien in the face for a ticket over =)

1. Muse

2. Interpol

3. OneRepublic

4. Metric

5. The Strokes

6. Lights

7. Kings of Leon

8. Franz Ferdinand

9. Tokyo Police Club

10. David Crowder Band

What's Stopping You?

Excuse the F-bomb in this..

The only person standing in your way is you.

"Friends" Forever?

Sooo, this issue has been bugging me for a while now...
I'm constantly doing you favors, I've always been there when you needed me, picked you up when you were feeling down, let you borrow money, gave you my time, energy and attention...so why aren't you there when I need you the most?
Sound familiar?
Why is it that you always do what you can to serve others and whenever it's you who needs assistance or someone to lean on, no one's ever around?? I abhor that people have become so lazy, self-absorbed and preoccupied with their own little piteous day-to-day problems that they will often overlook the troubled facial expression or change in demeanor of a fellow compadre. They become oblivious to even the most obvious signs that their friends are facing grave problems. You'd think a real friend could discern right away when something's up with you!
Please do tell me, how greedy and selfish is it for me to simply ask you for the same thing you wanted from me, your help? Is "reciprocation" such a detestable concept or is it just unfamiliar to you? Can I call you a "real" friend at all? That's kind of the disadvantage of Facebook, the fact that you have so many "friends",  when really what percentage of those friendships are based on a genuine, personal relationship and not a superficial one? How many would catch a grenade for you? I thought so.
I was horribly sick last week and some friends knew, yet only 1 even bothered to ask how I was feeling, now maybe it's not that big of a deal, maybe I'm being dramatic but something inside me couldn't help feeling a little hurt and lonely. It's nice to know that someone is thinking of you. I thought to myself, well at least I know now who my real friends are.
So forgive me if I burst your comfortable little "me" bubble to ask for a hand, excuse me that you have to put in a little effort to call me up and see how I'm doing and if everything's okay. I'm sorry for needing a little support. Sue me for needing a true, caring friend during a difficult time in my life.
People will always be there when they know they can use you for their own benefit, be cautious of these people, they just use you up like gasoline and drain you out, returning not to fill you up again but only to drain you out some more, believe me I've had a few "friends" like that. It's called a one-sided, burdensome friendship. What about your friends, will they always be there to catch you when you fall or will they leave you hanging every time?

Childhood

Beautiful tender child

such soft, young skin, such bright earnest eyes

there she is, playing with her teddy bear

her smile shines like pearls, her laughter like the song of a cardinal

her hair like a crystalline flowing stream, her youth at its peak

such naïve thoughts, her innocence like white powdery snow

her touch sends a thousand monarchs fluttering

a young girl, her sweetness is honey, her face full of wonder and curiosity

her ceaseless bouncy energy is electric and contagious

oh how the world is cruel and chaotic, confusing and complex

yet there she stands, vulnerable, clueless, unequipped 

exposed to too much to soon, it becomes too late

hurt and pain does not discriminate, it bypasses no one

danger, lurks around the bend in a park, abuse hides under a dress 

suffering lays behind the sunrise, brokenness camouflaged against a doll

torture is quietly packaged in candy,  humiliation wrapped in lace 

yet there she stands, her tattered fragile wings ready to float away

astounding dreams awaken her and she eagerly presses on

then, once again a word stings her, an action burns her, loneliness drowns her 

bitterness surrounds her, insecurity jostles her, emptiness overwhelms her

failure mocks her, rejection plagues her, fear pins her to the ground

deadly vicious cycles corrupt her tiny beating heart, despair scarres her soul

she sheds her vivid coats of colour until there is only darkness as her life shatters in pieces at her feet 

she falls but no one catches her, she screams yet no one hears

oh my dear sweet child, if only I could protect you

if only I could take you away from it all

if only I can restore and preserve that childhood 

this is for all the little girls, enjoy your childhood and be careful

let no man destroy you, let no storm strip you of your dignity 

let nothing come between you and your fairy tales 

be strong and courageous

you are a valuable and precious gem.