be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire

When you can't score yourself a tall, dark, and handsome, go for the taller, darker, handsomer, right? (not the guy in the picture.... awkward....)

That's what I always say.

Happy Leap Day, y'all. Life feels kinda strange lately. I'm being a responsible college student lately (good thing it's my second to last semester at BYU...) and getting all my assignments done ahead of time. I'm not sure where I want my career to go after this year, and I don't even know what kind of job I'm going to get this summer. So I'm contently walking in the dark, if you will.

One of my best friends got their first kiss last weekend, and let me tell you, I don't think I've ever been so happy for someone else. Imagine me in a full deep lunge with one of my arms punched to the ceiling (and the other holding the phone to my ear) and then falling to the ground and kicking my feet in the air.
I love being excited for my friends.

TTFN (got to go study for some more tests and continue being a responsible college student)

xoxo,
Lize

Star Wars or Prank Wars? Or Both.

At the stage of life I'm currently in, it is crucial to figure out who the important people are in your life. Focus on the ones who are nice to you and care about your well being.

I have learned the hard way multiple times this school year that some people affected my life WAY too negatively. It sucks. And it's really hard to let them go because I cared about them so much, and if I'm being honest I still do care A LOT about them; however, it was not healthy for me to hold on to them so tightly with no reciprocation. My heart got hurt a little bit, but I'll be ok. I also have crazier problems to think about. 

On the other hand, I have also grown to appreciate some people so much more. These gems are my saving graces who have kept me from giving up on life. Bless you all.

Crazy problems like my knee, for one. I may or may not have a torn meniscus. I have to get an MRI on Thursday, and I am NOT looking forward to it. I haven't even told the director of my dance company yet :/ The dance trainers said I'll still be able to dance on it, but it hurts like all the fury from the hot place combined into one concentrated spot on my knee.

In other news, I promised details of the pranks I have pulled so far on Bryce and Kyle. The pranks of the #prankwar2015 include but are not limited to: 

• Oreos filled with gross foods (such as pickle relish, toothpaste, horseradish, turkey & veggies flavored baby food, olive loaf, etc.)
• Deodorant container filled with blue jello and hair gel (his deo was blue, so we had to get creative)
• cotton-balled their cars (two nights in a row, just to be annoying)
• Chewbacca roar contest (this was GOLD. One of my finest ideas, if I do say so myself)
• Fake email saying he won Star Wars prize package, including tickets to the premier in Hollywood! 
• Confetti shoved in all the air vents in his car, turned on full blast, aimed at the driver's seat. Decorated with plastic bead necklaces and more confetti

With every prank, we leave our signature note followed by "<3 ur #1 Fanz"

So there's that. The don't care enough to prank us back, so technically we have won, but they told me they are not ready to throw up the white flag, so maybe someday something will happen. You will be the first to know when it does.

xoxo,

Lize

In Retrospect

I have started and restarted so many blog posts lately, trying to come up with the perfect thing to say.
So here is a very less-than-perfect smorgasbord of things that have happened to me and lessons I have learned over the past semester.

Performed with Vocal Point AND David Archuleta. (sorry, had to brag for a second) It really was the most amazing experience working with both of them. I'll never forget those performances.
Had my heart broken twice this semester. It sucked. I cried a lot. Like, A LOT. One night, Jack held me while I sobbed hysterically (thanks, Jack) for about an hour. Then he had to go to the airport, so I got in my car and cried all the way home... And I still randomly break down. Basically I'm a hot mess.
Met some new people who are in my life to stay, became closer with old friends too. Caused some drama, too--but what is life without a little bit of theatrics, right?
Walked in on too many awkward situations with no way out (I'm good at that. REALLY good. Like, So good I'm calling Jennifer Lawrence to ask if she'll star in a movie about my life)
Fought the eternal battle of learning to love myself and be confident in myself. I have started singing "I LOVE MEH, GOTTA LOVE MYSELF, NO I DON'T NEED ANYBODY ELSE" at the top of my lungs.
Declared war (of the prank sort) with two of my male friends, Kyle and Bryce (Yes, the Vocal Point boys). I'll post about all the pranks next because they are genius and worth documenting. **here's a little teaser: oreo's, deodorant, cottonballs, chewbacca** They haven't even gotten us back yet, but it is not over until Janae and I say it's over. #prankwar2k15
Moved out, moved back home, then moved closer to campus (s/o to BKay because we're gonna be ROOMIES!! Hollerrrrr).
Collected wedding invitations upon wedding invitations. (We all know that I still have a secret desire to become a wedding planner, right? I have TONS of catalogues and books and I keep all the invitations from friends that I love, etc. It will happen, people.)
Fell in love with indoor cycling
Worked backstage at BYU's production of Christmas Around the World. All those lanterns you saw on stage? Guess who put the batteries in them? Guess who mopped the stage before every show? That's right, I'm a useful human being! During the week of rehearsals and performances I also brought two souls together who are perfect for each other and helped a few girls into the fold that we call "Fangirlz." You're welcome, VP. I'm really good at it, so you could hire me if you wanted... *shmee face inserted here*
Almost died in a canyon in SLC when it was snowing, and I was driving all alone.

Welp, Happy Christmas in three days, folks. Until next time

xoxo,
Lize

Dusting off the typewriter

eviDANCE 2015. Cracks me up so badly because blurry head. Also it looks like Bryce is laughing at my blurriness. haha!

I have the most exciting experience to share, and I accidentally left my journal at my apartment this weekend, so I decided this is the next best place! (I came home for General Conference! Yipeee!)

This story actually begins earlier in the week. I was home alone at my apartment one evening, messing around on my computer. I found some random video archive I didn't even know existed, so I started watching videos from the past few years. Some were dance combos I recorded in class, some were scenic views of Italy. One was of me talking to the camera right after I had woken up in a convent in Florence, and I was trying to show how to get to the elevator from the main area, but I only filmed my face as I walked to the elevator... hahaha. There was a very wide variety of videos. Anyway, I kept looking through, and I found some of my old videos from ballet midterms over the years. I clicked on the midterm videos from when I was on Theatre Ballet. Immediately, negative thoughts FILLED my brain. "I was SO skinny and great looking then! What the heck happened?" "I must be HUGE now!" "What was I eating then and could I try that again, so that I can look that good?" I clicked on the next video and saw my face. My face was way thinner, and I had huge dark circles under my eyes, and I looked exhausted and unhappy. Despite that terrifying sight, I still could not get over what I looked like in those videos. I thought about it for the next few days and tried to eat healthier. I knew I was slightly falling back into the unhealthy mindset I had when I was on TB, but I almost couldn't help it. I tried to casually bring it up to people in hopes that they would help, but all of them brushed me off like I was just being dramatic or something.

Friday I walked into ballet, like any other day of the week. Not really feeling it but willing myself to go because I have skipped so many classes already this semester (senioritis is alive and well). I started class out, looking at myself in the mirror as we faced the barre for our beginning warm up, and tried not to be disappointed in what I saw. As class went on, I felt more and more empowered, and started working harder and pushing myself farther. (Whenever I come back from being sick, I always feel so free and strong in dance classes, so I thought that's what this was...). I felt like I was really dancing, and I was happy. I wasn't nailing things as I usually do, but I kept feeling like I should just brush it off and keep dancing. Then grand allegro came. (For my non-dancer friends: "grand allegro" is the combination done at the end of class with all the big leaps and turns, etc. It's my favorite) I was LIVING in that grand allegro. I was holding balances longer than I ever have, and the music was motivating me to jump higher. When I finished, my teacher pulled me aside and asked if I would do the combination again for the class as a demonstration. I said sure (because honestly, I knew I nailed it...) and ran back to the other side of the room to do it again. And I did it even better this time! It was seriously amazing, and I didn't really understand why it was happening. We discussed the things that I did well in the combination and then the teacher told us to stretch and cool down. As I walked over to the barre to stretch out my calves, I immediately got the chills and a warm feeling inside. I realized that that was God's way of telling me that I am so much more capable now that I am healthy, and that I do not need to be as thin as I was before. I was not happy then, and I may be going through some really tough times these days too, but I have been given a gift by God. I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to follow my dreams and seek out a career in dance, and a lot of people can't say that. My teacher stood up and said she felt impressed to share a quote about living with real intent. Reading it again, it doesn't fit as flawlessly as I felt it did on Friday, but it is still a GREAT quote:

"I encourage you to live a deliberate and focused life--even if you haven't consistently done so in the past. Don't be discouraged by thoughts of what you have already done or not done. Let the Savior wipe the slate clean...Start now. Live an intentional life, understanding why you do what you do and where it will lead. As you do these things, you will discover that the most important "why" behind everything you do is that you love the Lord and recognize His perfect love for you."

Isn't that amazing?? I finished stretching, and left class feeling lighter than the clouds. I wanted to share the experience I had just had with everyone in the world. So now I'm sharing it with you!!

God loves you. And He answers prayers, even silent prayers that you keep in your heart. He also sends other people as tender mercies. I have had so many tender mercy angels in my life this week, and I couldn't be more grateful that they came when they did. I have so many feelings I just want to scream for HAPPINESS!!!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Maybe I'll update what life is like for me soon.

xoxo,

Lize.

I'm a big girl now

The first day of school FLEW by. I couldn't even believe it. I am in class from 9-6 with no break whatsoever. It didn't even seem that long, though. It's funny to see how people are planning to approach the school year by how they dressed the first day. I told myself that this was my year to dress like a cute girl instead of a sloppy frump. So far, I have almost accomplished that. My outfits aren't super put together, but I definitely wore real pants and a real shirt. So props to myself for that.

The difference between having church at noon and at one is GIANT. It flew by as well.

Also I now live in Provo, so hollerrrrr. Everything in my life is changing and it's crazy and scary but also really fun.

CDT started rehearsing with Vocal Point yesterday! They are performing with us in eviDANCE and the Homecoming Spectacular. Let me tell you something about these guys: They are the funniest group I think I've ever met. They are the biggest goofballs and were so ready to dance WITH us! They are all great dance partners, so ladies.... get on that. hahaha.
I discovered how crazy it is to combine dancers and a cappella singers. They don't count in 8's like dancers, they describe things based off sounds they sing in the music. It's actually crazy. But so fun! I think the finished product of this dance is gonna be fantastic. Something fierce, for sure.
YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT.

xoxo,
Lize

Quick update before more photographs

The sky is having a serious case of summertime sadness lately. More like summertime bipolar disorder. But I love summer rain, as I've stated many times before... so I'm not mad.

My tan is coming in nicely, I've had many unexpected adventures, and overall I'm avoiding deep cleaning my room because it stresses me out so incredibly badly.

I just realized I never finished posting pictures from tour. So here are the rest of them. They are out of order, and I'm too lazy to redo them all, so I'll make sure to specify which country each photo happened in.
Hang in there and live for every moment and maybe summer will last forever.

Viena. If you need a male model, contact this smoldering fool :)

The location of our flashmob in Vienna. Even when under construction, it's still beautiful.

some little candy that was delicious.

The cheapest thing on the menu was a dessert called a pancake soufflé. It was...interesting

The best Mexican restaurant in Hungary, who knew? It was VERY similar to Café Rio, but I like their name better.

Despite the bad technique in the jump, this is the best quality photo I have of the parliament building.

You wanna be on top? Budapest

A mural on the wall in our sketchy hostel. Words cannot even describe this place. An adventure for the books, that's for sure.

This is the reestiest picture of me. But... our hostel hosts gave us non-alcoholic champagne! It was actually super delicious. So I can check that off my list of things I would never do.

They even have better geofilters.

The palace in Budapest was MAGICAL. Like the castle in Little Mermaid.

My life is been pretty amazing, I guess.

Sunflower fields forever.

"Knight to H3" 

thank you, Slovakia, for making some of my Harry Potter dreams come true.

The store name is caption enough :)

Budapest. We met and had dinner with the Mission President's family. His daughter Lea and I became instant friends.

Walking the streets of Slovakia. Those guys in the background showed up in many pictures after this one, and that's how I figured out they were following us. But don't worry, nothing happened.

Still trying to immitate manequins. I'm not even sure when it started, but it's still going.

This is my "I'm actually performing in Europe, this is crazy!" face. haha

CDT and all the missionaries who spent their preparation day to be our guides around the city

Vienna. My true love. Also, on the steps of my palace, sohn...

candid laughter on the balcony

A film producer and some models that we met and talked to. They were the classiest.

The backyard of the palace. The biggest garden I've ever seen.

The wooden crutch model

The fact that we were poured on actually completes my dreams. No umbrellas or jackets just a downpour of water and giggles and running.

Sure clears out when there's a little rain.

A playground in Vienna with Colin.

Wurzburg night on the town. gelatooooo.

You, too, can become a model with the help of natural window lighting and a standard electrical fan.

Wurzburg, Germany. We hiked up to that fortress on the mountain.

I'm Rapunzel, sohn...

Me and my tower (s/o to Myles for literally laying down on the ground to get this picture for me. You'se the real MVP)

The funniest story involves this drink. The theater provided dinner for us before our last performance of tour, but they were serving pasta. I just decided I would ask for a coke and a water and then I could find something else to eat after the show. I asked the guy (who doesn't speak English very well) for a coke and a water, and he looked at me really confused. I nodded. He shrugged, grabbed a glass and poured it half-full with coke. Then he poured water into the same glass!!!!! I was trying so hard not to laugh or embarrass him. He poured a little more coke into the glass and gave it to me. I drank it because I really hate embarrassing other people. Meanwhile, everyone on CDT was crying from laughing so hard.

The fortress garden. I'm the pink blob across the courtyard.

Our last night in Wurzburg, we got gelato and ate it on the bridge. so enchanting. I watched the ferris wheel for hours.

Ballet in Vienna.

More modeling lessons feat. Lindsay my favorite person

MODELING 101:

JCPenney catalog or Eliza in Budapest? We can't be sure.

Have a happy day!
Good luck attending all the rest of the wedding receptions of the summer and enjoy every bonfire!!

xoxo,
Lize

Just a quick hop over the pond

Wowee wow wow. This summer is probably one of the best yet.  True, I'm not as tan as I hoped at this point, but the sun hasn't burned out yet, so there's hope for that. I have been a part of so many amazing things and met so many incredible people, all thanks to DANCE!

I honestly never thought dance would benefit me in the way it has. CDT (the contemporary dance company I'm on) went on tour for 15 days to Europe!!! I can't even tell you how stoked I was to be back in the Mother land. I went to five different countries. CRAZY!! And within the first six days, I met dancers from 14 countries all over the world! We became really great friends with dancers from Panama, South Africa, Hong Kong, etc. IT WAS NUTS. We also were able to meet missionaries and mission presidents from each country we visited! The entire trip was overflowing with spiritual experiences, and I couldn't be happier about it.

Here are a bunch of pictures from Prague (Czech Republic). I was going to do all of them, but as I was picking photos to upload I realized I have SO MANY PICTURES. So this journey will be spread across multiple posts.

First, an experience I will never forget. Right when we got off the plane, we went straight to an orphanage outside of Prague. These kids, although we couldn't communicate with verbal language, were kindred spirits. We played with them for HOURS, and we all cried when we had to leave.

This is George, the sweetest little boy I've ever met. He danced by me during our little outreach, and he gave me the tightest squeeze hug and wouldn't let go when it was time to say goodbye. 

Teresca. This little munchkin HATED me. Ok, so she didn't hate me, per se, but she was clinging to Seth with a death grip the entire time, and if I ever tried to talk to him, she threw me the MOST shade. She wouldn't even take a picture with me without Seth being there. Also, we were the sweatiest beings in that place because it was hot and we danced in those very clothes and there was no AC. Congratulations, Europe, for helping us not care about our appearances for two whole weeks. #sweat

Just ballet things in a cathedral... haha.

You will quickly learn 3 things about me and European obsessions: cute buildings, flower boxes in windows, decorative plates, and gelato. duh. Oh that's four. Oops.

Candid. He's a model.

We went to a bone church. Literal bones. Everywhere. Eery but cool.

These bones are not fake.

I took this after our first dinner in the Czech Republic. It was somewhere in the countryside outside of Prague. This place was BEAUTIFUL and picture perfect everywhere you look.

Long bus rides weren't so bad when you have views like this

The salt and pepper shaker I regret not buying. They're hugging!

Adela and Helena, my Czech friends from the branch activity

I was depressed the entirety of the Fourth of July (my favorite holiday), until this moment at dinner. Thanks Cayel

Fairytale or Prague? Hard to say.

PC: Myles

Stefani is perfect in every way and totally reminds me of Hailey

The best teacher I've ever taken a class from, Ivana. 

Her warm-up will be done in heaven, I swear.

St. Charles bridge at night!! The only part of this picture that is accurately beautiful is the shininess of my sweaty body hahahaha.

The views can never be depicted through photos.

Lindsay is my #1 favorite human. Hands down.

Corgi realness for you, BKay.

A bubble in a bubble.

My first time trying macarons! 

They were huge and so delicious. Now I understand Blair Waldorf's addiction.

I'm on a boat! Dinner cruise.

"As the sun sets on the third day...."

Modeling with chicken. It's a thing.

You wanna be on top? Funny story. It took so long to get this pic because I was standing in front of the stairs, and people kept going up and down. Also, the girls from Panama were watching this whole time, and I got really self-conscious. But then they asked if I was a model, and I was so flattered. The end.

Real life candid sun flare.

Grand Prix winners, sucka!

The most beautiful of Panamanian girls who everyone said was my twin slash looked like my sister. Incredible dancer and so so nice.

Dinner at a palace. In sperry's? Only Americans...

"Wow. Pure emotion. Prague"

Yummy sammies on the go.

******** HOLD UP********

I bring to your attention a very special talent I have. It's called falling asleep anywhere but the appropriate places. I'm glad my friends love me enough to take pictures of me while I sleep. haha.

Sweaty body in a place with no AC meets cold tile floor.

Prague.

They don't call me "daddy long limbs" for nothing.

Bus

Hostile living room floor. Head resting on a chair.

Budapest.

Hotel lobby foot rests while waiting for room key. I double as a place to put your bags, apparently.

Vienna.

Straddling the bed, duffle bag equals the pillow.

Vienna.

#dancerprobz

This was so comfy until I woke up and couldn't feel my leg.

My friends were always great at calming me down when I woke up in a panic to extreme pain or numbness in any part of my body. (I'm really irrational when I first wake up) So I would like to take the time to give a special thank you to those who helped me. You'se the real MVP's.

xoxo,

Lize.