Letters From Lizz ... Under the Italian Sun!

Hi all again! Possibly for the last time via /this/ blog.

I will be leaving tomorrow morning to study abroad in Italy for five weeks!! Woot! I'm so excited. But also, I'm way passed my 22 birthday now. So it has come time for this blog to reach it's end, sadly.

While this may be a door closing, this new year of mine is certainly not closing; it's only just beginning.

This last year has been interesting. Difficult, and growing, and sometimes unbearable.

• But I've met two amazingly wonderful new friends that I think will be a lasting friendship: Jimmy and Ashley. And some pretty amazing young women in the Vagina Monologues and from my house, Kaleidoscope House!
• I've had some tough times with trying to get back on my medication, and the idiotic hands that have kept me from either being able to receive it or being able to pay for it. 
• I got in my first car crash where I was driving and have proven to myself that I can handle it.
• I was blessed with free Subway footlongs for 52 weeks! (Yes, that's a year.)
• I got a cute new haircut!
• I dyed my hair for the first time ever!
• And I taught myself how to make some delicious lasagna!

This next year will still be trying and tough, but I'm older now, not just in age but in wisdom and strength. Yes, I still fall short, but I know God has a splendid plan for me. It started at UCI this year, and it will continue through the next. 

• In short, I have two new jobs. (Driving UCI's Shuttle Buses around campus and Council Manager in the Arroyo Vista Student Council, both starting in Sept)
• I am studying abroad in Italy for five weeks! AMAZING!
• I finally finished cleaning out my bedroom and the back "sewing" room in my mom's house (a project I've been working on since I graduated high school, 2007.)
• I will be living in the same cool house, Kaleidoscope House on campus. And have some awesome friends living near me.
• Amazing things will happen.

I'm scared and ready for whatever God tosses my way. He won't give me too much, even if it sometimes feels like it; and there will always be an 'escape route.'

Thank you for all your prayers over the years.

If you'd like to follow my Travel Blog for this Summer's trip to Italy and Paris, here's the link:

http://lizzundertheitaliansun.blogspot.com/

Here's my address from July 25 - August 25:

Accademia dell' Arte
Villa Godiola
Loc. San Fabiano 9
Arezzo, Italia 52100

New Blog...

As you may or may not know, I will be studying abroad in Italy this Summer!!! Yay!! I'm sooo excited! And currently unprepared... ah!

It's incredible how many requirements there are for the program... and they want it all done and fully paid for BY May 1st! That's incredible! And soon! And I feel like it's too early for a program that's not until July 25th, but whatever. I'll live.

Well, once I've figured more out, I will start a new blog for the trip. I haven't decided if it's necessarily a "new" blog, to replace this one; this is kind of my first, so... And it's labelled as my "21st Year" (which is really my 22nd year of living), so it can't be the same title come June 19th. Hehehe...


Anyway, until the Italy trip which will be July 25th through August 27th, I suppose I should keep up this blog.

I'm learning to be a balloon artist!! What is that, you ask? Ever heard of balloon animals?... That's it. That's what I'm learning. Here are some pix of what I've made so far. Be nice; I'm learning.  :)

My first flower... an epic fail, of course. 

I made a better one later... After I had learned.

You can't really tell, but this is a monkey.

Yes, a green monkey.

Dragonfly!

A purple parrot!

I just like how all my balloons look together!

A flower bracelet!

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And I went home to surprise my Mummy two weekends ago!!

Mom's toaster had something wrong with it, so I bought her a new one. 

But not before I made her a retractible toaster card.  :)  

One of Mom's favourite dishes is butternut squash raviolis. While looking for a good recipe, I found a different recipe for Butternut Squash LASAGNA!!

So I roasted the Butternut Squash...

And I made - or attempted to make - some Almond Cookies. 

They came out more like Almond B

And Jacob got to visit too!

I have an Album of pictures where I lick the other person's face...

Mom had an idea to kiss my cheek... 

At the same time.

Haha.

Ha.

Happy Birthday, Mommy.

A lot of info... to make up for all those missed posts... Sawee.

These should probably ALL be separate posts, but I don't care; I'm putting them all into one.   :)

Enjoy.

----------------------

"Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. 

Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would really obey his commands. Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. 

He did it to teach you that people need more than bread for their life; real life comes by feeding on every word of the Lord. 

For all these forty years your clothes didn't wear out, and your feet didn't blister or swell. So you should realize that just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you to help you. So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with springs that gush forth in to valleys and hills. 

... But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and laws. 

... Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. 

... He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did it so you would never think that it was your own strength and energy that made you wealthy. 

Always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you power to become rich, and he does it to fulfill the covenant he made with your ancestors. 

But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord our God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God."

Deuteronomy 8:1-7, 11, 14-19

It's strange, but I'm sure not uncommon, that I make so many "promises" and "plans." Usually they are just to myself, so when I break them, it's not that big of a deal. When I started this blog, the promises were made to you, the reader. If I know any better, I'm speaking to solely you, Mummy, which is fine. I'm learning to accept that most people are busy and don't want to read a bunch of wordy hubbub from a girl they don't even see that often. But what happens when I made those promises to God and break them? Just like a lot of people, I get embarrassed and we don't really talk for awhile because I'm so embarrassed. Well, he talks, and I kind of hear, but I don't listen. And I certainly don't talk back. Except for the occasional, "Thanks for this beautiful day, God." or "You made those stars for me; thanks!" But that's not enough. In the ways of my promises, I could just say, "It stops here. I won't make any more promises!" But that's also a promise ... one that I can't keep.

It's been a hard and trying few weeks here in Irvine and while I was home for Spring Break. I'm not lying when I say that I opened this blog website sooo many times to start a current post, and then it sat, minimized on the side of my screen... until my stupid Mac OS system would crash and I would forget that this window was open. Although, it didn't really matter that it closed, because I rarely had anything typed out. Sheesh!

I've been tired; I'm getting more joint pain and localized heat radiating off my knees and knuckles, but I've been dealing. I deal with the stairs in my house on campus, and I deal with walking to classes, and I deal with carrying large loads to and from my car on grocery and/or (un)packing trips - although, that last one could probably be helped with more trips, but you can tell which is more preferable.

An update on my physical well-being, or lack thereof:

After three months of trying desperately to get an appointment to see an Irvine Rheumatologist, God gave me TWO appointments on the same day! I kept them both, saw both doctors and decided to stay with Dr. Leehealey, located in Irvine, as opposed to the various different doctors I would be seeing at the UCI Medical Center in Orange (and occasionally on UCI campus) because then I could get my Orencia infusions here in Irvine, and not have to drive alllll thhheee waaay to Orange every four weeks. So, there: three months for appointment, but I had to wait the two months for the appointment to happen. So, went to both appointments, and was referred to two infusion centers. Neither of them called, of course. So, I did the work and called one of them. Two weeks later, I got an appointment for April 4th. Yes, that was last week.

...

In the meantime... while I desperately awaited my April 4th appointment... I made numerous phone calls to my insurance lady for my school insurance, phone calls to the woman on the East Coast who works my case for the company who is willing to pay for my $1,500 medication once a month, and the lady at the infusion center.

Not to mention, I was rear-ended March 24th, on my way home from Irvine for Spring Break. Yep. Made it to Carpinteria on the 101N, when traffic slowed suddenly and right as I was stopping, I look into my rear-view mirror to see a car swerving towards me with massive blackish smoke-clouds emerging from her tires!! And coming right for me! Thank you, God, that I was not totally stopped just yet, so I turned my wheels to the right and started out of the way - silly me, my thoughts were to get out of her way to give her more time to stop, but there was NO way she would have stopped in time. Thank you, God, again that there was NO ONE in the right lane AT ALL! despite the traffic, so when she hit my back driver's side, she pushed me into the empty right lane and into the right shoulder curb.

I am proud of myself. I saw her, I prepared myself, mentally and physically (I straightened myself up, and braced with my hands on the wheel... even with the incredibly LOUD Legally Blonde the Musical song I was listening to.) I prevented the car in front of me from being involved. You would be proud too. I don't even care that they didn't stop to see if either of us were okay; but that was one fewer car involved, so whatever. 

We were both okay, just shaken up, but they wouldn't let me drive my car away on account of the tail-lamp being broken. It's a big deal, apparently. So, they towed me, and ALLL the stuff in my car I was bring home to put in the garage (my car and trunk were FULL) and they fixed my flat tire and patched up the lamp so I could drive the rest of the two hours home to Oceano.

However, as 'okay' as we both were, I still had to make more phone calls still now to car insurance, in addition to medical and health insurance companies. I have AAA - yay! - The girl who hit me has Progressive - not yay. The repair shop couldn't touch it until Progressive had someone come look at the car and get an estimate. Of course they waited about 5 days to do this. THEN it took the repair shop a few more days to fix it because they had to wait for the right parts. Poo poo on Progressive. But Eagle Collision Repair on Brisco Rd. in Grover Beach were EXCELLENT! They fixed the car as soon as they could and even repainted the top of my car and buffed the hood! It looked gorgeous afterward! ... Of course, I was in a rental for the whole week and the first whole week of Spring Quarter when I went back to school, because of Progressive. But hey, I'm 21 years old and I got a rental car. You have to be 25 years old in normal circumstances. So, it was cool.

-------

Prior to leaving UCI for Spring Break, my roommie, Joyce, and I decided it was finally time to rearrange our room! We'd been planning it for awhile and we were always too busy or too tired to do it, so we finally figured out a time before both of us left for Spring Break.

Now... we have a LOT of stuff. I think if it was a competition between us and all the girls we live with put together - and probably the guys too - I'd say we would win, hands down, in having the most amount of stuff. But we are 'well-rounded'. Joyce has mostly shoes, and clothing, and make up, hair stuff and accessories. I have electronics and craft stuff and shelf-ish-type things and cork-boards full of papers and stuff! ... Needless to say, lots of stuff!

So, how did we manage to move around so much stuff??

To be more specific:

This is the result of our rearrangement.

I like the spirit-like essence in the center of the photo... 

and my God and Adam hand on the side... I wish I had known I was making this gesture; Joyce could have been doing it on the other side and we'd have the full Michelangelo painting, but in our room. Haha.

------

Let's see, what else has been happening in my life??

Oh, yes, the reason for the Bible verse atop this post...

Life has been tough. Not that it hadn't always had its moments.

I've had the car accident, not having my Orencia for nearly six months - so not being able to dance, or work out at the gym or have the energy to do really anything. I had to play phone tag with a woman on the East Coast (which meant not much time between classes to actually get ahold of her with the time-difference), phone tag with health insurance, phone tag with car insurance and the repair shop. My body is tired and in pain. Not being able to be home with my friends and my mommy. My dad is going blind  (although there is a little hope there, so I've heard today) and I already don't get to see him very often. I've got moolah issues to think about because I've been paying all my medical bills out of my own empty pocket - which is only being replenished with Federal Financial Aid (Don't tell them, though, or I won't get any more! It's against the rules, technically.) 

I've had my share of tears. But none compared to the utter and enormous PUNCH in my stomach from finding out two days before my infusion appointment (you know, the one I've been trying to get for six months now... the one that is supposed to be taken once every four weeks) ... that infusion center doesn't support the company that will be sending my medication. So, now, I've got nada. No medication, no appointment, and no energy to boot. 

I literally couldn't stop crying. It was like Diane Keaton's character in Something's Gotta Give, when she is writing her book and crying every four seconds. Then she stops, breaths, and you can see in her eyes, all of a sudden she's remembering why she was crying and is suddenly crying once more.

And my problems aren't even half as bad as some of my friends' issues.

But for now, this is what I've had to live with. So why haven't I been on my knees every second of the day, thanking God that He's brought me through it, or is bringing me through it?

I don't have an answer. Except to say, I should be.

So, to tie in the Bible verse, part of me feels like all of these terrible things that have been happening in my life are a big test. It might not be, but maybe I should have been treating them like one, seeing as the test is "am I still seeking God even when I can't see Him? Even when my troubles are so great, that it might seem like He disappears?"

I knew during all of it that God has a reason for what has been happening - and I still don't really know what it is - and I was thanking God that I was still alive and everyone was okay after the accident, and thanking Him that I can still walk and do most to all things even in my Arthritis fatigue and pain, and all without medication....

But I wasn't seeking Him.

You can see food set on a plate in front of you and acknowledge its existence; it is there.

But until you put it in your mouth, chew it, and swallow it, 

it can't give you the nutrients you need.

------

On a happier note, I made a short film while I was home for Spring Break!

I've been wanting to make one for years! Since Katie Beckstrom Muller and I made our directing debut on the very popular and widely acclaimed "Battle of Troy" which featured our favourite stuffed animals and lots of fishing wire.

The short film is still in post-production, but as soon as it's finished being edited, I will enter it into the UCI ZotFest Film Festival! It will be awesome!

And of course I will post it here when it is finished, if the file is not too big.   :)

AND...

I've been talking of donating my hair for years!! And I finally did it!

I got a cute little bob at a salon in Costa Mesa, just outside of Irvine.

Before (obviously)...

and...

AFTER!!

It's cuter in person.   :)

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In my Winter Costume Design class, our final project was to design the costumes for a production of the play Dracula. It is the closest version to Bram Stoker's original novel.

Our assignment was to design costumes in a Victorian, Steampunk or Film Noir style. Of course I picked Steampunk.

So, I created two concept collages. 

One for Transylvania and one for London, 

where Dracula spends a lot of his time in the novel and play.

They are a little hard to see because they are small pictures, but it's the concept that's important.

London.

These images are more rustic and blues and creams.

Transylvania.

These images are more oranges and greens.

Mina is a human that Dracula chose to be one of his brides, to be his most-beloved bride.

Here she is a Vampire. 

(Throughout the play, she is slowly becoming more and more like Dracula after he bit her. But she is saved in the end.)

A Bride Of Dracula.

(She didn't make it.)

Lucy as a Vampire.

Lucy was one of the first woman chosen by Dracula in the beginning of the play.

After being turned into a Vampire, unbeknownst to the lead men in the show (who were in love with her), they are forced to drive a wooden stake through her heart, to "save her soul."

Dracula:

Left: In Transylvania, when he is old and dusty and rusty, and hasn't had any blood for awhile.

Right: In London, he is "fifty years younger" and more clean and clean-cut. (The lines in his cape are like the veins in a bat's wing.)

Also good (I don't know if I already mentioned...) 

I'm going to Italy to study abroad this Summer!! Wooot!

I will be studying Comedia dell' arte in Arezzo, Tuscany.

My passport should be coming in the mail anytime now!

I'm also applying for The Orion Fund Grant which is specifically for Students with outstanding or future medical costs! It's specifically for medical costs!! Which is awesome! So I wouldn't have to keep paying for things out of my Federal Financial Aid! (I started using my inheritance from when my Granny died at one point.) We'll see if I get it though.

I participated in the MS Walk (Multiple Sclerosis) on the UCI campus this passed Saturday. It was super short; one mile. I wasn't expecting that. But I don't think my body could have taken any more that morning.

However, later that evening, I was invited to a Sisters-in-Christ Appreciation Dinner hosted by the men of UCI's InterVarsity. It was sooo great!! And so sweet of them!

And....!!!  I danced!

I realized... I haven't danced (especially not like this) for at least six months. Probably longer. Actually, yes, longer. Since Shimmy Shake Shine rehearsals. (I didn't really dance that much in the show, or in the Fantasticks. Not intensely. And sweat-worthy.)

It was amazing. And my body hurts. But it was oh, so worth it!

I'll post pictures if I can find any on Facebook cause I forgot my camera.

Well, you're in luck, cause that's all for now.  :)

Thanks for reading. And caring.  :)  

Love you, Mommy. Hehehe....

Can you say... FREEE SUBWAYS FOR A YEAR?? I can!!

I don't know if I already mentioned this, but I was cast in THREE on-campus short films for the Film and Media students' Advanced Collaborative Film class!! So, yesterday evening, I spent the majority of my evening filming a long short story/monologue about a girl who is carrying the "stone backpack" (signifying the weight of distress) of her father's passing away. It was so much fun - the shoot, not the sad lines particularly. We shot many different angles and well, now I have one of three scenes I will be in THIS WEEK for my new reel!! Woot! Hollywood, here I come. In a little bit.

Prior to this, myself and my new friend from Drama Bible Study, Anita Platypus (so named because I had no idea what her last name was... and that's what's on Facebook) were planning to visit the new Subway that was opening its doors for the first time this morning at 7:30am. There was a campus-wide email sent out a few days ago and I had decided, why not? What have I got to lose? A few hours of sleep? Well, I was going to lose those anyway with the crazy week I've been having, so why not gain some free food in the process??

The deal was: The first fifty students at the door at 7:30am would receive a year of free Subway sandwiches (fine print: 52 sandwich coupons).

I had been planning on arriving at the Subway around 10:30pm last night, after I got out of shooting the short film in Claire Trevor School of the Arts. But we didn't finish filming until midnight! I kept asking Anita, "Do you think 10pm is too early?" She wouldn't be able to arrive until after 1am because she closes at Starbucks off-campus. She had been told by a friend who had class yesterday AFTERNOON that there were already more than fifty people waiting! Nevertheless, after the shoot was over, I decided to check it out. You never know, right?

There were well over fifty people. In fact, the Subway was inside a tiny commons-type area and they let everyone inside! where it was warm! And there was a list...

I became #74 on the list. 

And I was able to sign up Anita as #76, just behind the guy who walked up with me at the same time. I told Anita to come anyway. It'll be fun, right? She did!! She almost didn't come at all!!

We sat and talked, and laughed about how silly all of this was, and why in the world we were staying if we all were top 70-ish, my new friends and I; NyuckTun (not at ALL how to spell his Vietnamese name, but the pronunciation-ish), Christian, Anita and I. And another guy who had been there since 9:30AM that morning. By NO means was 10:30PM "early." Ha!

But we had fun.

Then, five til 6am rolled around and there was a woman who woke everyone up and asked us all to clear our areas so they could start cleaning... and counting. She announced the top 50 on the list, they got in a line, and I was not among them. I was not surprised, but I wanted a Subway!! So, I helped clean up and got in a separate line for when they officially opened the doors at 7:30am.

When I asked if I could help out in any way, funny-to-me-only-story, the Suit in the picture said I could start wiping down tables and gave me a rag. A few minutes in, a new Suit came by and told me not to clean; that they would handle it. ... I was so tired that it actually hurt my feelings! I almost started crying, that's how tired I was. Refusing help, HA! How dare you!

I said it a little loud, and the woman offered me her push broom and said she would gladly let me help. 

So I did, of course. I like to help.

I know, I'm weird.

After I finished helping and got back in the now very small, non-winners line, the woman passed out all the coupons to the winners and asked them for a show of hands who thought the 8 people who were still here that had stayed all night should also get a year of free Subways...

And I was among them!!

So, I didn't "win" but I still got the prize!!

Thanks Scott and Kelly!!

YAY!!

Anita decided to go home after the top 50 were called. When the woman let us have the prize as well, I mentioned Anita and she said if she emailed her, she would get the prize too! So, hopefully she will do just that!

Also, in middle school, my friends and I started this strange photo idea where we would take pictures of ourselves in front of various trash receptacles in various towns and theme parks and campsites, etc. 

I've decided to resuscitate that crazy photo op.

Update... phew, finally. AND PIX!

It's been awhile since I've blogged or updated. I know. I've been busy and my body's been tired and exhausted. Yes, even to post a couple pix and type out a few sentences.

You know me, a 'few sentences' is never the case anyway.

I went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art a few weeks ago for a class project. Thought this was pretty cool.

I also saw this guy!! I think it's David Caruso from CSI: Miami!

This is what he looks like from the front.

Obviously I didn't take this picture, otherwise I would have been more sure that it was really him.  ;)

The Vagina Monologues went well. I've been rehearsing for it since the beginning of the quarter and we just had our three shows this past weekend. I've met this great group of ladies, only a few of whom are actually drama majors, but they were all terrific. The monologues were touching and moving and some even funny! If you ever get a chance to see the show, don't hesitate. Don't be thrown off by the title; it's really an amazing show for an incredible cause.

2011 Cast photo in front of the center of our simple yet amazing set!

Lauren, Jenna, me and Dominique.

Goofballs.

Someone made vagina chocolate pops too. They were pretty tasty, I have to say.

And mom and I took a picture with her sock monkey and the show program for her small group.

Next up for me: Trying to get infusions in Irvine. I've called many people, many doctor's offices, many companies. I'm so close, I can taste it. My body can't FEEL it being close, but it will be feeling better very soon. My school insurance will finally start covering my "specialty" doctor and infusion visits up to 80% starting March 21st. Eh, 80% is not great considering it's $1500 for the drug alone and about $300 for the registered nurse to infuse me, but it's better than naught.

Also, I'm taking voice lessons from a gentleman in Van Nuys now. I'm working hard, singing hard and looking forward to the near day that I get to stick it to the man and show these instructors here at UCI that they've been ridiculous not letting me in their Musical Theatre classes thus far. Next quarter is the quarter. When I get in Spring quarter, I can then audition for the Musical Theatre III workshop and the Musical Theatre BFA program for next Fall and on. Otherwise, I could have graduated this Spring with a Drama B.A. But that's silly working since middle school - on the '4-year university' track - and only ending up being at a university for ONE YEAR?? Silliness. Mad silliness. So, I will stay and get into the BFA program.

Also..... SUUUUPER UUUBER EXCITING: I'm going to be studying abroad in ITALY this summer!! Woot!

I'll start blogging more again. 

I've always got so much going on, so its never that I have nothin' to say. 

When does that ever happen for Lizz?

:)

Just Add Hair... and an audition.

Today, I put hair on the Crucible poppet (the voodoo doll I made for show). I think she's soo cute... I almost want to make another just for me.  :)

I sat down with one of my instructors today about getting into MT II (Music Theatre workshop II) and the Music Theatre BFA. I basically sat down and said, "So... the reason I came to UCI was for the BFA program and I found out last quarter that only 8 are accepted into it. What do I need to do for you to see that I belong in that program?" We had a good chat. He looked back at his audition feedback for my last MT II audition and said that I had a dash next to my name and the dash means YES, so he thought I was good enough for the class but it probably just meant the competition beat me out. So, he told me about how I can really nail the audition and competition with a more upbeat, comical song because they've seen my sentimental and dramatic side now and "I know you can sing that" is what he said. He also said that the audition made me look like a singer who acts so he went through his list of shows and gave me a few song suggestions.
And I left feeling soooo much better about my craft and my UCI goals. And with a new direction on how to approach and achieve my BFA goal.

Also, tonight I auditioned for the musical A New Brain and The Glass Menagerie. They are both UCI workshops. The Glass Menagerie is being directed by Adrian Balbontin whom I met at PCPA when he was a directing intern. Now he's here at UCI as a grad student. He likes me, so that's good. Not that it would help me get a part - I wouldn't want to be cast based on anything but my audition - but what I mean is, it's nice to know there is someone here in some kind of authoritative position who KNOWS I am a good actor. And while I stumbled upon a few words in my monologue, it was definitely my best musical audition to date because of the ease with which I just let out my voice! My acting could have been better, but that's the problem with being out of classes or plays for so long. Thankfully, I am now in Intermediate Acting class, which reminds me a lot of a mix between Aaron Metchik's acting class and some of my favourite acting classes at PCPA.

This quarter is going to be good. I can just feel it. Thank you, God!

The Vagina Monologues Retreat and PICTURES!!!

So, I've been cast in the non-UCI associated production of The Vagina Monologues and it's actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be!

I auditioned kind of because I was getting upset that I'm at this new school and things are supposed to be different; better, but I still hadn't been cast in a show! And then I was a little bummed when I found out rehearsals are at the same time as an Opera Workshop that I was sooo excited to take and worked so hard to get into!

Then this weekend, we "retreated" together for Saturday and a sleepover. First, we met up at the UCI flagpoles and randomly formed teams for a scavenger hunt that took us across campus numerous times,  but it was so much fun! We took pictures of the things we needed to find and I took video of the things that were movement oriented. We ended winning! But whomever won didn't really matter. I will share some of the video/pictures I took.

Lizz, Marlyn, JoJo, Christine, Meghan

Jojo and Lizz in front of the Bren Events Center

with Peter the Anteater 

(UCI mascot)

One of the tasks was to reenact how we think an Engineering Major

would react to the word, "vagina."

Jojo IS an Engineering Major.

Here's what happened.

Peter the Anteater is our mascot, but this is a female version

so we named her 

Petrova, the Maneater

Then we went to one of the director's homes and decorated t-shirts for when we advertise for the show on Ring Road or around campus ("tabling" is what they call it). We watched a movie, then we talked. About the show, our lives, everything. It was great. Everyone is so open and so encouraging and non-intimidating and non-threatening, even the guys who stayed to help out (they are in the crew).

V-Day is the version of the Vagina Monologues

that we will be performing. 

And I had everyone sign the bottom.

Oh man, though.... when we were playing games, there was one game where four girls would stand up next to each other in front of everyone else and anyone could ask the person next to you a yes or no question about you. This is The Vagina Monologues, so a lot of the girls/women are really comfortable talking about sex and guys and love and everything so a lot of the questions were kind of sexual questions. I'm a pretty open person; if you ask I will probably tell you, with a disclaimer saying, "Don't ask if you don't want to know" but I was terrified of getting some random question about ... I can't even think of what. They all know I'm a virgin and I'm going to wait for my husband to be my first (and hopefully only, God-willing). But I was still nervous about all the different kinds of questions that were being asked. But I always love hearing about others' experiences and opinions; I'm strange that way.


-Keep in mind, that what was said on our retreat, stays in our retreat, except that this I have a right to recount because it is about me. I would never blog about one of the other girls' questions.-

So, when it came to my turn, my neighbor was asked if they think that Lizz is the mothering type in a relationship, or likes to be mothered. My neighbor answered that I would be the mother-er because of all that I've helped everyone with in just the few hours we've all been together. ... Apparently, I was the one who gave someone a hair-tie, I had offered help to people who were struggling carrying things, mine was the car that held the luggage while we scavenged for clues around campus and I was one of the drivers to the actual location, so I had garnered this motherly reputation already. But I told them I've yet to be in a relationship, but it's true; when I'm in a relationship, I will probably treat my guy like a King, but of course I would prefer to be treated like his Queen. I told them, though, that so far in my relationships with friends, I tend to be the one who just gives all the time and never gets back - I have a few friends in mind - so I'm hoping that it will be a compromise, as I think it should be. But we shall see.

And that's when the question came up that made my day. A new friend of mine in the cast asked my neighbor if they thought I am waiting for that guy to come along, or desperately searching for him. She said probably waiting but not worried if he doesn't show up just yet because she knows it'll happen in it's own time. She got it right on the money, but I added somet extra.

I said, "I'm desperately trying to wait and not search for him." And JoJo - I love you, Jojo! - said, "Lizz, I think he's desperately waiting for you too." And I HAD to hug her. It made my day and it was kind of affirmation that where I am is okay, and it will happen, but not to go looking for it. In God's Timing. it was great.


Also, here are some pictures of from Cambria Pines Resort, where Kelly got married this Wednesday.

Mom and I wrapped

her gifts together.

Cambria Pines Resort

Some headbands I made at

the UCI costume shop

for the girls in

The Crucible.

Outskirts of UCI campus

on my way home

walking.