A check in and some new things in the works!

Back on January 4th 2016 I wrote this post and highlighted these goals - 

1. To finish my final 5 papers for my final year of study at VUW. I'm enrolled in a paper for summer which starts tomorrow - I'm excited and nervous to get these final 5 papers done. - I don't know what 2017 will bring - uni will be done and I'll be working!?

2. To lose weight, and this isn't a generic "I'll lose weight because it's New Years" thing, I'm serious.

3. To actually push myself creatively - writing blog posts, photographing for my Instagram, making YouTube videos? Actually doing things regularly to get my creative juices flowing.

And the usual New Years Goals:

• have fun, 
• keep growing my nails out, (2015 and prior every year it was hard to stop biting nails, counseling helped on this one!)
• exploring more of the city,
• learning new skills,
• and learning new things.

Well, now for an update - 

1. I've just done both the exams for my first two papers and I'm waiting patiently on the results from those and my course overall.
Oh! And I talked to my course advisor who has said I only need to do 4 papers this year, so the compulsory English 201 paper, then one from English 300-399, one from English 300-329 and another Religion paper... and then I can have a double major for my BA in English Literature and Religious Studies!
And in my exams, yes there were two! I didn't have any anxiety problems, no panic attacks or fear during the exam. I kept calm and got it done. (Go me!)

2. I haven't been doing much actively towards this goal, because of having a possible Morton's Neuroma in my toes diagnosed. I'll write a longer blog post about that later.

3. I've currently got 3 weeks off between exams ending and term 2 starting, so I've signed up to THREE online courses and I hope to upskill myself by doing those. They are in -
- Fashion stylist
-Blogging
-Event Planner

My nails still look awesome, although no photo as the polish needs replacing, my appointment is in a week, so I'll do a post about them later too.

I haven't been exploring more of the city recently at all. I really should do it more.

As for learning - see above with the online courses.

I feel like this post is more of an update kind of one, but that's okay. Sometimes we just need to check in and see how things are going.

Until next week,
XO, Lisa.

26 places to see, do stuff and go to in Wellington, New Zealand

This week I decided to do a re-run of the Top 26 things about Taranaki post, but with a twist - everything is about Wellington and the city is the main feature.

Here goes my A to Z of Wellington, New Zealand!

Arts and Culture Capital - there's so many spaces to see and do things, from local art galleries to theatres for shows...

BATS Theatre - so many shows, so little time. I've counted up all that I've seen as an Usher and I'm up to show 146 in a week or so. Not far to 200 shows! #Counting

"Coolest little capital in the world" - The 2011 one liner in Lonely Planet about Wellington.

Dirty Little Secret - rooftop bar.

Exhibitions - at various art galleries and museums.

Fever Hospital, Mount Victoria - now the SPCA location.

Garage Project - beers and brews.

Hutt Valley - Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt at the base of the Rimutaka Hills.

Improvised theatre - Wellington Improv Troupe.

Jackson - Sir Peter Jackson turned JRR Tolkien's books the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, into award winning cinematography.

Katherine Mansfield House and Garden (formerly Birthplace) - I'm yet to go and check this out. It's up in Thorndon.

Love - what I found when I met Daniel my now fiancé!

Mount Victoria - the Lookout is a must, also the Southern Walkway.

Newtown - the community centre has a good feel for what's happening in this bustling suburb.

Oriental Bay - from the beach to the views over the harbour and the ice cream shops along the way, O'Bay has it all!

Porirua - from the Shopping Mall to a list of places to visit... I need to spend more time in Porirua ~ It's a bit of a hike from where we live, but well worth the cheaper prices! (About 21 minutes on the train, plus time spent getting to and from the station...)

Queensgate shopping mall - the main shopping mall of Wellington, located in Lower Hutt.

Royal New Zealand Ballet - Ballet troupe of New Zealand based in the St. James Theatre on Courtenay Place. Flatmate Loren and I are going to a show very soon!

Somes Island - the island in Wellington Harbour, where at one stage Enemy Alien Internees were kept during WWII. Today the buildings are still on the island and can be visited. The island is a special place with shared history of many people. It is a great photography spot.

Te Papa -  the National museum. Lots of it is free and there's a wing that has a charge to see the exhibits. Well worth paying the small fee for many of them. We've seen a number of them. Keep an eye out for Locals deals too.

Uber X - a popular ride-sharing company that usually riles up taxi companies. I really like using it. It's in New Zealand in selected cities, so keep an eye on the app. (Use my code for a free $10 credit: lisat2293ue )

Victoria University - where I am in my final year of study for my BA in English Literature with a minor in Religious Studies.

Windy Wellington - the weather in Wellington is somewhat all over the place with a Marine climate; Windy Wellington is the nickname given to the city especially when it's blowing a gale.

X-plore Wellington - a favourite pastime is to go somewhere and just explore the surroundings. It's a great way to learn the city when you move somewhere new. A few weekends back Dan and I went out to Island Bay, he had never been before. I'd been once, years ago. We went to the Aquarium there - the Island Bay Marine Education Centre - well worth the $5 (adults) or $2 (kids) entry.

Young and Hungry - Wellington theatre from young actors.

Zealandia - a wildlife sanctuary in Karori which happens to also be the first suburb I moved to when I first moved to Wellington for University way back in June of 2009.

Until next week,
xo Lisa.

Dan is 29 and other thoughts about growing up.

This past week has been one of fun, mundane day to day life of a university student - filled with reading, studying, classes and tutorials... The usual really. And Dan had his birthday on Thursday the 17th march. Yes, Saint Patrick's day.

I tried to trick him into thinking we were going for a romantic dinner date, but in reality I had been planning with friends to meet up and go to a local restaurant with a bunch of our friends!

 On the night of, I showered, got dressed and put make-up on, anyone who knows me well knows I don't wear make-up! Anyway, we were all ready to go, and I was refusing to order the Uber, until I got a text back. Dan thought this was suspicious.

Anyway, a few minutes passed, we were getting later, and by then it was well past the time I'd said we needed to leave by - and Dan saw I wasn't freaking out. (I have anxiety and will often freak out over what seem's like 'nothing'). So got the awaited for text, ordered the Uber, and left for the restaurant. 

                                                    

                                                     Dan all dressed up, looking flash!

Dan had no idea where we were going. 

Thankfully also the Uber driver dropped us off at a side street, not right outside, so we had to walk a little bit to get to the place. When we arrived he spotted the restaurant and knew where we were going. What he didn't expect was the group of people at the table waiting for us! 

Thank again to our friends for keeping the secret from him, and not ruining the surprise!

Dan's 29 now and we're thinking about how our 30's will be different. 

Here's some photos of our dinner and friends - 

Fiancé Dan looking dapper in his suit.

Me and our friends - Mark, me, Tim, Chris, Loren and Thomas

James, (Helen obscured), Dan B and Mike.

Us again with friends and the birthday boy/fiancé himself!


Dan and I were also talking about how turning 30 seems to be grown up. I was saying that we're growing up anyway - we're engaged now and have a wedding on the table in a couple of years time... I've got this year left of study and then I'll be entering the workforce again too.
We also have parties to plan for the wedding and stuff too, like the upcoming engagement party in July. I feel like I've taken on a lot of 'stuff' to get these organised, but it's also not all on me to do so. I have to let things go and delegate more often, and I find that difficult because I like to be fiercely independent and do it myself and I have come to realise that I can't do everything alone. It's a team effort. I'm going to write another post about this in more detail - next week.

The text I was waiting for was from Thomas (one of our flatmates) who had gone ahead with Loren (our other cool flatmate) to check out the first place's seating arrangement and to see if we could all fit. Original plan was to go to The Ramen Shop in Newtown Wellington, but apparently (according to Thomas and Loren) the seating isn't great in there, and they don't take bookings. So we ended up changing locations at -literally- the last minute to ensure we could all fit together! That's why I was waiting on his text message to see where I needed to tell our Uber driver to go. 

Until next week, 

xo Lisa.

2016 and beyond reflections

This year has been a year of reflecting, a lot. So far at least, I've spent a bit of time each month and each week just reflecting on what I'm up to and where I am going next. Not in a sense of moving as such, but onto the next project, the next thing, the next assignment. Taking a new step in a new direction, in a new way.


This weekend I spent three days at BATS Theatre; It's Writer's Week for the New Zealand Festival.

Yesterday I had a fan girl moment when Witi Ihimaera talked to me, granted he was only asking for directions on how to leave the venue... But he saw me and talked to me. It's humbling seeing these writers I look up to seeing me as a person too.

Witi Ihimaera is a New Zealand / Maori author who has written novels such as:

• Tangi (1973)
• Whanau (1974)
• The Matriarch (1986)
• The Whale Rider (1987)
• Bulibasha: King of the Gypsies (1994)
• Nights in the Gardens of Spain (1995)
• The Dream Swimmer (1997)
• Woman Far Walking (2000)
• The Uncle's Story (2000)
• Sky Dancer (2004)
• Whanau II (2004)
• The Rope of Man (2005) - features 'Tangi', and its sequel 'The Return'
• Band of Angels (2005)
• The Trowenna Sea (2009)
• The Parihaka Woman (2011) 

Novels by Witi Ihimaera

I also really enjoyed the Slam Poetry by Anis Mojgani. His words are mesmerising.
Here's a video I found on YouTube of Anis Mojgani performing 'Come Closer'.

Because it was a festival, and in a theatre, I didn't take any photographs during the event. There was a photographer on site who was amazing, she would come in and take photographs near the end or near the middle of each talk and it made it easy for me to know when the talk was coming to a close, without having to check the time on my phone!

Through working as a volunteer in the theatre now for three years I've noticed I am more confident in walking up and asking people to follow my directions (eg, to kick them out of the theatre* at the end of the show, or to move along so seats are free'd up during the times the audience finds their seats.)


This Thursday it is Daniel's birthday. I've arranged a dinner for just us in a local restaurant, so I hope he likes it!

Last week we picked up my engagement ring, but I will write all about that in another post.
I'm waiting on photographs and also showing my family in person before I post more online about the ring choice, stone choice etcetera.

Currently in the middle of university, week 3 of the trimester, and more assignments are due - so that's up first.

Second is arranging our engagement party - lots still to do!


Last week I reorganised the bedside table - I bought two new candles from the Warehouse - they're super cute and have this written on them:

'All you need is love,
forever and always,
no matter what'

Sheepy, a heart LED light, and candles.

Gold and Black candle - I have two of these.

Until next week,
xo Lisa.



*Of course I ask them politely and don't actually kick people! That's uncalled for violence!

All links worked as of 11:30pm Sunday 13th March 2016. (NZ).

Middle of November that means one thing!

I don't know where this year has gone, but I blink and suddenly it's the middle of November. Which means Spring has sprung, even though it's a bit chilly today. The house hunting has begun (our tenancy ends in January)... and it's another day closer to Christmas!

I was online earlier and saw that ASOS has an awesomely cute selection of things for Christmas this year:

Like Lady Pug socks,
a cupcake shower cap (which I would totally rock, just sayin')
some scented coloured pens which reminded me of the 1990's...
this Pug stress ball...look at its face; now squish it!
a quote mug "every day is an adventure"... indeed it should be.
and on the note of hot beverages: this "happiness lie within" travel mug.

Even though Christmas for us Kiwi's means BBQs on the beach and sunbathing in bikinis, playing cricket on the sand... and all things summery, for some reason I've become obsessed with the idea of Christmas Sweaters, it's a largely American tradition I think, and completely inappropriate for a Kiwi Summer Christmas.

So here's a few things I've found which bring on the Christmas Sweater vibes without bringing out the sunstroke for the already overheating folks. (wink).

This Christmas Jumper iPhone 5 case,
These Nail stickers which have various patterns relating to Christmas sweaters...

My sister Rosie recently asked me about what makes me think of Summer - I said, BBQs on the beach, sunbathing, cricket and playing on the beach, ... Just enjoying the warm weather and sunshine... But I guess another thing entirely that reminds me of summer is inflatable objects, like these inflatable Candy canes and pool toys like these: Giant Pizza slice anyone? How about an iced donut? Closer to home Glassons NZ also have Pool floats available too such as this Unicorn and this Dinosaur.

From the Warehouse I found this adorable Lotus float which is like a night light for outside, in the pool or pond?

The hair ties in this set, I am OBSESSED with. Just love them. They're a piece of wide elastic. They secure my hair super well too. It's fine and hard to tie back especially after it's freshly washed. I use one or two of these hair ties and I'm good for the day.
And honestly who doesn't like wearing temporary tattoos in the summertime too? I am loving the shimmery shiney golden and silver ones. I am so thankful they are back in fashion again!

Go check out the ASOS Christmas site here. (Their normal site is here.)
***This is not a sponsored post, all views are entirely my own.

Social Media updates and exciting new ventures.

So, so, much has changed in the past two weeks. 

To be honest it's a bit overwhelming how much life changes; for the better. 

First of all I dusted off my camcorder and started filming a few things for my YouTube channel. You can see the latest things here; Lisa Taylor's YouTube... and on that note - started talking to more local YouTubers on Facebook - slowly gaining followers, can only hope to grow more by recording more and furthering my own skills in editing, recording etcetera.

I see a lot of the local YouTuber's seem to solely do YouTube...
I'm still happy to have Pinterest, Instagram, this blog and Facebook going on. I created a page on Facebook for the Blog and YouTube updates - I'm thinking that I should really make it include the other social media stuff too: instagram, twitter and Snap Chat too. Just literally downloaded Snap Chat again, and I'm really unsure on that app!

Outside of Social Media: I'm teaching more, I have four adult students now. They are all from South Korea which is interesting. Mostly I've taught South Korean's here and a few Chinese people too.

I'm on a break for the year from university. It's exams right now, and I was clever enough to choose a paper which was all internal. I'm waiting on my final essay's grade which should be out by the time the Summer Semester begins.

Over Summer - after Christmas (so January and February), I'll be going crazy with Summer Shakespeare where I'm the Front of House Manager** - no pressure! The team -including me- was featured in Victorious the VUW alumni magazine recently - you can see that article and photo here. Was an awesomely fun photoshoot, and new for me- normally I'm on the other side of the camera and taking videos and such, so it was nice to play Model for an afternoon!

Just have to invoke my inner Queen Bee (Beyonce too!).

In a few weeks I'll be down to the Skeptics Conference again - 

Christchurch you'd better be ready for us! 

I'll be there for a few days with Dan and the local skeptics doing the conference talks 

and recording the podcast... 

IF I remember I'll also film some stuff to upload when we get back.

Music that has me singing along:

Adele's Hello! (2015)
Britney's Work B*  (2013).

Movies I love: 

The Minions movie (2015)
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Harry Potter - all of them (2001-2011)

Don't care that this is also from 2013: Selena's song Come and Get It 

- always makes me dance and sing along!
Also reminds me (fond memories) of working at a job I had for a few weeks when this song first came out and we played it in the store every day, super loud. 

One good thing about having a bit of time off before the craziness of Summer Shakespeare begins, means I have more time to catch up with and see friends...

So friends (yes this is me being my usual dorky, awkward self):  

It also means that YES I'm heading home to Taranaki for Christmas - see you soon New Plymouth!


**NOTE: This is the same page used every year, so in 2016 it will change to the next play for shows in February of the following year. Show dates for Love's Labours Lost are for February 2016.

Hater's gonna hate...

Regan Anne Hillyer's post on Facebook resonated with me when I saw it;
Copied below:

"A NOTE TO THE HATERS: 

Dear haters,

I see you.
Aren’t you glad?
Because that’s what you wanted after all - you wanted to be noticed.
You’re fueled by unhealthy significance.
Every step I take forward you’re running after me, trying to pull me down.
And some of you are my closest friends.
Or, used to be my closest friends?
And I’ve taken some time thinking about you and why all you want is for me to fail.

I need to let you know something first though.

I’m really sorry.
Yes, I’d like to apologise.

I’d like to apologise that I DIDN’T ACTUALLY CONSIDER YOU in my plans!

I know.
It was very selfish of me.

When I was setting goals in my business, I didn’t actually think about you and how it would effect you.

When I was sculpting my body of my dreams, I didn’t actually consider that it may make you feel a little inferior.

When I attracted that awesome partner, I didn’t actually realise that it would highlight the fact that you’re still sad and lonely.

When I started living an incredible lifestyle, I didn’t realise that it would make you jealous that you don’t have the freedom I have.

When I was up at 3am lying in bed dreaming about the incredible future I am creating, you didn’t actually pop into my head!

I’m VERY sorry for not considering you in my plans!

And can I ask though, why do you consider me so much on a daily basis? Actually, don’t answer.
I’ve already got a fair idea…

I’m growing.
I’m shifting.
I’m moving and I’m shaking.
And guess what?
You don’t like it!
You don’t like it one little bit!

In fact, it makes YOU feel SO uncomfortable to see me doing so well.
It makes you feel smaller.
Your mindset is not one of abundance, where everyone can succeed together.
It’s a mindset of scarcity.
A mindset of, if I do well, it must mean that you can’t do well.
It’s a mindset of lack.
A mindset of there never being enough.

So haters, I’d like to send my love to you.
And I’d like to thank you, for fueling my success.
For pushing me to be more, to do more, to have more, to give more.
Thank you for showing me how to turn negativity into positive ammunition.

What was that did you say?
Oh sorry, I can’t hear you.

Cheers to the haters!

P.S - Don’t forget, you absolutely CAN have it all - regardless of what anyone says!"





AND like Taylor Swift says Hater's gonna Hate, so Shake it Off.

Peace. *mic drop*.

Special post: PSA Wellington is 150 years old

Happy Birthday Wellington City! 

150 years old.

That calls for candles... Lots of candles.

26th July 1865 Wellington became the Capital City in New Zealand, on this day the Parliament met for the first time in the Government Buildings, in Wellington.

Today a whopping 150 years later not much has changed... Just kidding! 

Initially I aimed for 150 photos and pictures to share, but quickly realised it would take me literally days to search for locations and sweet spots, shoot them all and copy them here...

Instead below are a collection of fifty photographs that I've taken of Wellington city and the nearby area since moving here in 2009, when the city was a mere 144 years old!

 Meanwhile, I can barely believe I've lived here for so long, have just past my 6 year anniversary of moving here.

Wellington's waterfront and enjoying the sunshine.

Karori Road, Karori, by night.

The Waterfront.

The waterfront...

Selfie in Te Papa.

Te Papa.

Ceramics at Te Papa.

City views.

Budge my budgie. RIP little buddy (January 2012 - September 2012.)

Reflections from The Terrace.

Art drawn at Matchbox Studios. 

All copyright and rights to the artists signed therein.

Plants on the balcony, today I'm down to a pile of succulents.

Our apartment, main room. Changed a lot since the first year we moved in (shown above).

More plants.

Lounge/main room again.

Baby plants

Wellington's beautiful water front.

City views from VUW Kelburn. 

Waterfront and boats docked.

Another view from VUW Kelburn.

Dan and Teapot cocktails from Bad Grannies (Cuba Street).

Views of the street at night

City views in the evening

Bus stop selfie

Botanical Gardens concert during summer 2015.

Selfie of us at the Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens concert again (Air force band)

Changing lights...

More of the crowd in the Botanical Gardens for the concert series in summer 2015.

Views over the back of Swan Lane and Cuba Street

Tricky art shots

VUW Kelburn views of the city

Hunter building, VUW, Kelburn.

Lavender flowers in the Botanical Gardens.

Rose flowers in the Botanical Gardens

Street signs and roadworks in the city

Lily flowers in the Botanical Gardens

More rose flowers in the Botanical Gardens

Brooklyn park

Brooklyn Park

The old dentist building on upper Willis Street

Willis St and Dixon St corner

Lower Cuba street

Top of Willis street

Seashells at the sea shore

Oriental Bay beach

Dan at Oriental Bay beach

Looking to St Gerard's Church and Monastery on Mount Victoria from Oriental Bay beach

Above, that is 50 photographs all taken by me, 

Happy 150th Birthday Wellington, may there be many more to come!

Rights to the artists who drew, and painted the two portraits of us.