So it's about time for an update! I had my first short film last weekend. It's amazing how much of this is networking vs. auditioning. Earlier this month I didn't have any auditions so I booked a role as an extra in a student film. The director is amazing and I was blown away by his stuff. I had a great experience with him and his crew and at the end of the day he got my info. A week later he called me and asked if I was wanted a part in his next short. So my first short film ever shot wasn't from an audition at all, it was from connecting with the crew. With that said I present to you...my first short!
http://vimeo.com/36807636

For my first time on camera I have to say this was a very tough role. I am playing a girl captured by a serial killer. I was able to feel the feelings, cry,etc...but I have learned film is completely different than theatre work! First there is a camera,light, and two-three people in your face checking out framing and lighting. So as I am laying in the back seat of the car I have to find a way to stay in character with all the going on. Second, the actor playing the serial killer isn't in the car for my scenes. So on top of having all this stuff in my face, there's no pretend serial killer in site.

Did I stay in character the whole performance? No, I definitely had trouble feeling believable with all the given circumstances. However, am I proud of the end product? Yes!!!!!!!!!!! Beyond words. For my first time on film being such an emotional part I am so proud of myself. I did my first film performance with a very complicated role. For what it was I am very happy with it! I absolutely loved the challenge of staying in character on film. With time it will get easier.

So as far this update goes...I am officially committing the year of 2012 to acting class, student films, and background work. I want to learn and gain as much experience as I can from these angles so come next year I can get serious and start marketing myself to the bigger productions and possibly agents. I am setting a goal of at least 2 auditions a week. I also have to be on set at least once a week. Be it as a speaking role or as an extra doesn't matter. I am taking an acting class once a week,and it's kickin my butt in a good way. I am making no money by choosing these goals, but the knowledge and experience is priceless to me. All in all I am very happy with my decision to get back into acting. I haven't felt this alive or creative in a very long time.!

And last, but not least I attend a seminar from a very successful actor Jack Plotnick and my life has seriously changed forever. I was reminded that at the end of the day we are playing pretend and must learn to always play and have fun. He has this amazing outlook and you can tell he just loves acting. No matter how big or small the role he wants it all. He has an amazing online book http://www.jackplotnick.com/3.html
and a list of affirmations that have really changed my life.
http://www.jackplotnick.com/resources/2AFFIRMATIONS$28Revised$29.htm


So that's it for now!! I will keep you posted on my journey in Hollyweird!!

One for my homies

Getting old...an inevitable truth. Seems so mythical and hard to grasp when your still young and healthy. Just got a phone call from my father and it turns out my grandmother may have colon cancer. Also just got off the phone with my mother and my honey bubby is having to go to a nursing home. So surreal when these times start to arrive. As a child you always know that one day your grandparents wont be there anymore, but regardless you still take their visits for granted. Or maybe forget to call them as much as you planned too. Sadly it takes experiences like this to finally get a fire under your ass. These women are so amazing and I can't imagine not having them in my life anymore. I hate the idea of losing them. I wish I could go back and spend a few more summer breaks with them or call them a few more times. However I can't. BUT what I can do is start the cycle now. Start listening to their stories about what their parents and grandparents were like. I want to hear stories from their childhood, adolescences. Maybe hear about their summer romances, and what their hopes and dreams were. I want to be able to pass these memories on to my kids someday.
Luckily, I still have time to call them and visit them and I feel so blessed that I have made this realization now versus later. We all should stop for a minute and take in these moments. You never know when it will be your last chance.

I love you grandma and honey bubbe!!

-Lisa

Are you there blogspot? It's me Lisa

I always love hearing about my family and our history. Made me think what the heck am I doing not keeping a blog?! Someday my family can look back at this and see just how crazy I was. Gotta have some evidence right? So here goes. I am going to start updating this thing for family, friends, and also attempt to create my little "heirloom". Please excuse the run on sentences, incomplete sentences, horrible use of grammar, and flat out embarrassing attempt at writing. I cheated my way through english lit, and I am so thankful I had nerd friends to help me do it. If I could go back in time I'd do it again!

So to catch you up I moved to Santa Monica,California January 28th of this year. Only took me 7 years, but I am finally a Cali resident!! The journey to get here was profound and I will describe it in a later post. It's something in my life that I am still trying to wrap my fingers around. I've been here two months now, and I have wondered...when is it going to finally hit that this isn't a vacation? When am I going to feel like this is home?! I lived in San Diego last summer and the whole time it felt like a vacation. So far Santa Monica has felt the same, but it shouldn't. I mean I officially move here right?!

So I got her and I felt like a tourist....one month later still felt like a tourist... almost two month later and yeah still felt like a tourist...and now BAM that time has finally come. Got to see one of best friends Sera this weekend, my brother from another mother Daren, and my old bjj teammates from Alliance. It felt like old times back in Atlanta and it felt so good to be around two of my best friends. Felt like we were on a vacation to California. (Yes let's see how many more time I can say felt grammar police!!!!!). Felt felt felt felt FEEELLLLT. So after their last night here we went and had an amazing family style dinner at a Japanese restaurant. It was epic in my book. The laughs, the language, and crap just everything about that night rocked. We all were all 100% being ourselves, unfiltered without a care in the world. I wish I could relive that moment every week. I felt so blessed to have these amazing people in my life. Later on came the inevitable good byes. Dropped Sera off at her hotel and the feeling started from there.... Took Daren and Alec to the airport and then it officially hit...... I wasn't going home with them. Georgia was no longer home. California was no longer this vacation. Wow......

I drove back to my apartment in Santa Monica and got a little teary eyed. It finally hit that the people who mean the most to me are now over 1000 miles away. People I trust with all my heart and soul I will only see maybe once a year now if I am lucky. It was hard to finally realize this.....that was until I woke up this morning. I walked lady to the dogpark and immediately as I walked out of my apartment I was greeted by the sun, and the beach. Wow! The only way to describe by new path is by a new word I created. Workcation. I am on a permanent WORKcation.

So moral of my ADD rambling? I have realized even more that I am one lucky bastard. I get to wake up to the beach everyday and I have some of the most amazingly fantastic boombastic best friends in world. As much as I miss them they will always always be a huge part of my life no matter the distance. And with time I hope to make friends like them here in Cali too. =)

I miss you all so freakin' much! (But I still don't miss Georgia.) = P


Toodles,
Lisa

Adios Costa Rica

My last day in Costa Rica! Tommorow I catch a 2pm flight back to Hotlanta. Wont get home til midnight, but my trip folks....has come to an end! By the way I love these ...... apparently!

So yesterday was an amazing day for me. In two ways.

1) I caught 10+ waves!!!!!! Yes I surfed I surfed I surfed!!! One of my new buddies here Kyle, a surfer/skier from Colorado, hurt his foot surfing and offered to help me out with a minisurf lession. Well he was so helpful! Santa Teresa is NOT the best place for beginners to learn. The waves break harshly and They're back to back. So he helped me get out into the good surf area and I missed the first 2 waves. But after than I stood up and stayed up every time after! Later he left and when I went out on my own I got up 2 out of 3 times. So I was rocking it! So excited! Totally got my $5 worth!!

2) I did it. I went back to Mal Pais. Went back to the spot of my attack and rewalked my path. It was hard to tell the exact spot. Why you may ask? I'll explain in a second. So anyways I decided to go out the the beach and re walk my path. Aka from the beach to gravel path then to road and then to surf camp. So went back to the start point of my attack. But the minute I hit the beach I remembered all those feelings and thoughts going through my head 4 years ago. Being alone and unprepared. Not sure where I was going to travel next. I started to cry as I remienced . Not tears of sorrow,but tears of joy. I realized I had come so far since 4 years ago. I was now walking the beach with happiness in my heart. I didn't realize how much I had grown since then. I recollected seashells, then walked back along the beach back to the fallen tree by the path where one of my attackers was sitting on. I proceeded through the gate (even though it is no longer used since the path was widened now) and the got chills. I remembered everything. The minute I started looking at the path from that previous view I remembered the spot, even though the path had been widened. I didn't cry, I just felt. Let tose feelings from 4 years ago take over me. The fear, the fight or flight take over again. Not knowing where my life was going. Was I about to die? Was I about to raped? Was I never going to see my family and friends again? I took a moment to let those feelings take over again....and then let pass. Let them go. Those feelings a fear being replaced now with courage and strength. It was crazy how far the road was from my attack. It was crazy that I was able to get away. I forgot how far i had to run. I was so proud of myself. I was so young when it happened. Barely 21. How much strength I was able to have at that age. To fight for my life. All by myself. I also couldn't help but think how blessed I was. I didn't just let the attack rule my life. It took some time, but 4 years later here I am. So much wiser, such a better traveler, and no longer a scared little 21 year old.

So I went back onto the main road I proceeded up to surf camps drive way. Chills everywhere. It was such a far run! I went back and actually got to meet the owner of the place. I thanked him. For having such an amazing staff and how helpful they were 4 years ago. I asked about the road and it being widened. He told me they widened the path into a road so you can see the street from the beach. They did this because of my attack 4 years ago......... Crazy eh? I'm glad I was able to have such a positive influence on the community.

Anyways sorry for the long post. But I am so happy I went back to Mal Pais. If I hadn't gone I would never have had the chance to realize how far I have come in life. I am so happy to be me!


I love you all and I will see you all Thursday,
LIsa

Day 9!

Today we arrived in Santa Teresa....slight change of plans I know! But it is literally the same place as Mal Pais, just a few more blocks down. Hostels are cheaper over here and money is running low! Also in Mal Pais the only path to the beach is the same one I was attacked on 4 years ago so I figured if we stay in Santa Teresa I could just go over to Mal Pais and the the spot it happened. Spend my time rewalking those steps again and then after I was done, head back to Santa Teresa and not have to worry about walking up and down that path afterwards. I will be doing that tommorow!

We are staying at a hostel called Tranquila backpackers. It is 2 stories with dorms on each level...mixed gender. This will be my first time having a dude in a hostel, but I can't complain because the showers are sweeet! The last place we stayed (god bless it) had an amazing view. But the shower was quite possibly the most disgusting thing I have ever stepped foot in. Super dirty,rarely worked, and there were plenty of places for little critters to crawl up it and peep holes for Ticos to sneak a peak! So I am super happy to have these new kick ass showers. By the way have a talked enough about the showers? Shower shower shower shower shower....SHOWER. There I'm good!

So about my snorkeling trip yesterday....It was awesome!!!! Isle de Tortuga was kick ass and a ton of fun! And snorkeling was awesome by the way!!! Not something I will ever do a lot of. Kind of made me sick with all the salt water in my throat, but it was cool to see the ocean that way. I've never done something like that before! We spent 1 hour snorkeling..saw tons of fish. Then we went to the island for lunch and beach time. Got some cool coral pieces to take back home. Then we went out for another hour of snorkeling and Igot to hold a yellow blowfish!! I can't wait for that picture!

Today we took a bus to Santa Teresa and just spent the day collecting seashells, watching surfers,etc... We ran into a friend Kristen from La Fortuna and hung with her on the beach. We passed a sign that said surf rentals $5 all day. I think we're gonna rent two tommorow and just have at it. We figured this whole town is a surf town and we'll probably meet some dudes to teach us to surf or at least we can have fun at it on our own.

Thats it for now. Only 2 more days left people! Then it's back to good ol Gerogia...... But I have some big news for my future plans when I get home. I'll save the big news for when I get back though. We all need surprises in our life eh?

Hola para Montezuma!!

So I had another awesome day today! Went and hiked the waterfall Charrata Monetzuma if I am correct and it was amazing! The hike up began with climbing roots and at one point I did some sketchy off the path climb and now that I look back I can't believe i did that! Crazy climber chick eh? It was grogeous 3 waterfalls pouring into eachother. But we were warnedto leave because it was about to rain and not the safest time to be out there. And of course last minute we discovered there was a super easy way we could have gotten up! Oh well!!!

Tonight we ate with a sweet couple we met at the waterfall and later on we booked a tour to La isle de Tortuga. to go snorkling. We heard amazing things and I have never snorkled so I am excited!! The guy at the info desk was awesome too. He was very patient with our spanish and let us practice a bunch. It was so cool! I learned a lot. He offered to also teach us to salsa so I think we will be taking him up on that tonight! Everett taught us some basics back in Monteverde so it will be nice to try out our skills tonight!!.

Also BIG UPDATE! Sunday we will be leaving for our last destination....Mal Pais. Yep I know a drastic last minute change, but I feel really good about it. I have done a lot of growing on this trip. A lot of thinking and reevaluation of how I look and see things. My eyes have opened up a lot to who I am and what I want to do with my life. I am at a much more postive place now. One where I am ready to see the path that 4 years ago changed my life, and it be okay. See it again and get some much needed closer. Good closer. And a chance to rewrite my trip last time....this time with happy thoughts and memories. Life is to beautiful to see it anyother way.....

I love you all and momma. Dom't be scared this is a good thing! I wouldn't go if I wasn't ready. And I will email you immediately after! Promise

love you all!
-LIsa

Day 6

Way to much to say! I wanted to keep this thing updated but the more I travel the more I do and it's hard to keep up with this. I'll just say yesterday in La Fortuna we did a hike up to a dormaint volcano with a view of Volcan Arenal that we were told would be 1 1/2 hours including the walk to it and hike up it.....well it was an 1 hr walk to the base and 2 hours to the top and back of the most strenous hike I have ever done! I've done some pretty narly hikes...but this one took the cake for sure!! Some parts were even 3--4 feet distance from one step the the next and required pullng your self up by a root. Needless to say we were under prepared and didn't have enough water or the right shoes! But honestly I couldn't have asked for a more amazing day! The hike hurt but was a great excercise for the mind and body. And the view of Volcan Arenal was out of this world. And the dormaint volcano,San Chato was filled with a green...I mean almost tenniscourt green water....it was amazing.... Only one other couple was there and it really felt like everything I could have ever asked for after 2 hours of hellacious hiking was given..... There were these little fish in the water too that sucked on your toes and 30 would go for it at a time it was so funny!! I was cracking up and I'm sure I looked like a lunatic but it tickled!!!

After that we spent the day at Gringo Petes hostel and went to bed pretty early to wake up for our 5:30 bus. We took a bus from La Fortuna to San Ramon. Another bus to Punterenas. Then the ferry to Panquea. And met some cool surfers heading to Mal Pais that let us ride to Cabano. (Which took an 1 hour out of what would have been a 1 1/2hr bus ride! And then a taxi to Montezuma....All those places should have taken til late tonight we got here at 4! Only an 11 hour day not bad!!!
We are staying at hotel Lyl, a cute funky artsy place right on the beach for $10 a night. With hammocks all over the place...people I am in paradise! Tommorow we head for a massive watrfall hike where 3 waterfalls stack on top of eachother. I went last time and it was amazing! Can't wait to do it again....

Well peeps I gotta go that beautiful ocean and hammock are calling my name right now....

Love you all!!
-Lisa