my kick-off to the wedding season

You know you're getting old when your entire summer is planned around weddings all over the country. That's my life this summer.

The first one was Jared, part of my gymnastics family, and his beautiful bride Tara.

I wore one of the dresses I got during my giving-zero-effs shopping spree last weekend. It's from H&M and was a whopping $13. [Unfortunately I can't find it online for you.]

Kept it pretty simple everywhere else, since the dress is so busy. Black open toed pumps, pink lipstick, and a pink purse I got from my clothing swap. [It was perfect for holding a pair of shorts and shoes inside.

I keep it classy with a hair tie on my finger instead of wrist...... 

And if you're wondering why I would need to bring a pair of shorts to a wedding, it's because gymnasts like doing handstands. 

I'm the one with my knees bent about to get taken out by a tall guy. I love that everyone is so disappointed in the groom just falling in the middle.

And of course, we had to do a team picture of sorts. 

BUT... none of this is even close to the best part of the night. You know how much I love surprise dances or skits or plans or whatever... and the entire bridal party & more did an entire scene from Pitch Perfect.

HOW GOOD IS THAT?! The bride is former Miss Virginia, host of a morning news show, and basically one of the most all-around talented people you'll ever meet, so it's no surprise that happened and was so fantastic.

It's always good to be reunited with people I haven't seen in forever, but it's even more special to look at a couple and have zero doubt that they'll last forever. SO many smiles while watching them all night. So CONGRATS to Jared and Tara!

love,
elizabethany

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photo diary: the time i stayed up til 8am to catch a sunrise

For some terrible, odd reason... I've never seen the sunrise at the beach. The few times I've been up even close to the time, no one has wanted to go the extra distance with me! This past Wednesday night, my BFF was in town, and we stayed up literally just talking and drinking in the kitchen until 5:45. When we realized the sun was coming up, we packed up some more drinks and headed down to the ocean just in time.

Her friend was also with us, so I was able to adjust some settings on the camera and get a bunch of shots of all of us. While I'm nowhere near close to calling myself a great photographer- I'm still learning- I do think some of these are pretty freaking great.

It's now our trademark pose, I think... thanks to Pinterest!

I really like this one for some reason. I know it needs something edit-wise to make it really epic, I just need to figure out what it is.

Being a gymnast makes for being able to take cool pictures.

This is blurry and not good, but for some reason I love it. Plus, the water was 64 degrees, and Jon went swimming in it.

And this one is just a failure. We tried to jump at the timer. Welp.

I LOVE this one, but the perfectionist in me wants her centered over the street lines. Still need to play with Photoshop and figure it out.

Like I said, I'm no pro, and I kinda refuse to pay for all of these Photoshop "techniques" or whatever that you can buy, so I've been trying to just get out and play with my camera lately. Any photographers reading this who wanna give me some pointers on how to make these even better, would be much appreciated!

No matter who you are- I challenge you to stay up all night and catch a sunrise.. anywhere. Not only was it gorgeous, but I felt like a kid again. I stayed up all night with my BFF. We went and got breakfast before we went to bed. It's not often us "big kids" get those opportunities, so if you get even a half of an opportunity to do it, TAKE IT!

love,
elizabethany

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watch: virginia beach [and me] breaks a world record!

You guys.... If I start acting all high and mighty and way cooler than you all of the sudden, it's for good reason. As of Friday morning, I'm now a Guinness World Record holder.

Okay, I'm one of 1085 people who became one, but still! We all came together in the sleeting weather to do a cartwheel at one time, and it was freaking awesome!

Here's a simple video from the Virginian Pilot:


I did a one-handed one because I wanted to try and capture the moment [and try to get Corey and our radio friend JoJo's first ever cartwheels on tape]... This is the result:

Seriously, it seems so simple, but we felt so accomplished, and I still feel pretty effing cool. To the gyms who helped put this on and all the people who came out: THANK YOU!

love,
elizabethany

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listen: i got to talk to gabby douglas!

All my life I've wanted nothing more than to talk to an Olympic gymnast. I've had a couple of them as coaches for a week at camp, and I think I ran into Dominique Dawes one time unless that was a dream... but now I'm a professional! I can really talk to them!

And I finally got the chance when Gabby Douglas called the station during Corey's show.

We didn't get a lot of time with her, only a couple minutes, so I tried to plan some things out ahead of time. As a gymnast, from the same area, I felt like it'd be the best interview ever! I failed to remember that most gymnasts don't believe someone when they say "I was a gymnast too!" until they see them doing a double-back or some intense skill. [I think I had more credibility to talk to Olympians when I was a tiny little gymnast.]

Still, it was neat to talk to her, ask her about her schedule and growing up, and give her an opportunity to clear the air about the "trash talking" she did about her former gym.



Corey's mad I asked her that question, but the people gotta know! Was she really treated as awful as she said? Seems like it... but it also seems like she's strong enough [or trained enough] to "move on from it."

She's still a cute girl, and even though I've now had two awkward moments of time with her [I "met" her at an AT&T a couple months ago for about .5 seconds after hours of waiting], I think she's great and am totally rooting for her now and in Rio!
....even though she made me feel silly for choosing "real life experience" over gymnastics.

love,
elizabethany

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my quick celebration of national gymnastics day

Saturday was National Gymnastics Day, and I really wanted to do a video of myself and tons of other people doing gymnastics all over the town, nation, world, whatever... but I didn't get sent anyone's pictures/videos! Sad face. 

It's nothing new to see me doing cartwheels and handstands in public, but the first time I did one on camera on Saturday, this happened: 

Shoe. In the fountain. In Georgetown in DC. I was then barefoot for the walk to the car.. but that's also not unusual.

I'm a klutz. Welcome to my life. 

love,

elizabethany

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watch: people in sports being straight up awesome

Sometimes people look at videos and see something over a minute and think "I'm too ADD for this."

No one is too ADD for this video. Not even me. It's quick clips of TONS of people from ALL sports being straight up awesome at life.


Those people flying through the air and flipping a bajillion times- Awesome. Flips over people on the football field- awesome. Breaking a TON of tackles like "Get OFF me!"- Awesome. FLIPPING AROUND A BAR WHILE HOLDING ONTO YOUR FRIEND- AWESOME. You guys are neat.

love,
elizabethany

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watch: the changes in women's gymnastics in the olympics since 1980

Watching the Olympics this year literally has me stunned. Even though I was a gymnast for 15 years, it seems like a completely different sport to me. Not only is the entire scoring system totally different [so I can't even pretend like I know what I'm talking about], but the skills are so incredibly advanced that even my former coach is shocked.

I don't think any of us need to see old videos as proof, but I decided to look back at some of the most notable gymnasts in the past 30 years, and show you just how much the sport has changed. I think it's easiest to tell when watching a beam routine, but since that's not normally the favorite event to watch, I have some examples from all of them.

VAULT
The horse changed in the early 2000s, but I don't think that had a whole lot to do with the skill level increase.

Nadia Comaneci- 1980


Kerri Strug, epic vault of 1996


Jordyn Wieber, 2012 Olympic Trials



BARS
The bars used to be a lot closer together, so the types of skills have changed quite a bit... but notice all the release moves and different ways of gripping the bar Gabby does compared to Kim.

Nadia's perfect 10!


Kim Zmeskal- 1992


Gabby Douglas- 2012 [practice]



BEAM
It used to be simple and dancy, with a couple mandatory skills. Now it's an unbelievable amount of connections/series of skills.

Svetlana Boginskaya- 1988


Shannon Miller- 1996


Carly Patterson- 2004


[CLICK HERE for Aly Raisman's beam routine from qualifications. NBC is selfish and won't let me share.]


FLOOR
You'll notice quite a bit of dancing early on... but now it's nothing but skill after skill [and not as much sticking].


Mary Lou Retton- 1984


Dominique Dawes- 2000 [trials, but she made it!]


Gabby Douglas- 2012 Trials



I'm really upset it's so hard to find good quality videos, but whatever... that's not the point.

It's crazy to watch the routines from the 80s again because I could have easily done any of those routines while I was in my prime. In the 90s, there was no way I'd be doing most of those skills, but I could if I really worked hard. The things they're doing now- oh hell no. They've been brainwashed into not being afraid of ANYTHING.

Kudos, gymnasts of today. You're truly incredible. And to the gymnasts of tomorrow and another decade from now- I'm terrified of and for you. I can't even imagine what they'll be coming up with.

love,
elizabethany

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watch: surprise backflips in public

Here's another WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?! moment.

This kid had the bright idea of doing random backtucks in front of strangers at school, in the mall, and I think I even spot a library in there.



It's pretty hard to be smooth when walking and wanting to do a backtuck, but that was fantastic. I think my favorite one was getting out of his sweet minivan at the very end then driving away.

And seriously.. NO ONE IS PAYING ATTENTION TO HIM! Sure, people don't like to stare at strangers, but he's doing backflips. Say SOMETHING.

Here are some bloopers/extras, cuz you know he had to fall on his face at least a few times. He also took it to the drive-thru, which is pretty funny.



You da man, dude.

love,
elizabethany

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watch: 86 year old gymnast competes on floor and p-bars

I'll never forget doing a handstand/headstand contest with my great-grandfather when he was in his 80s and I was in my gymnastics-prime, and he beat me! Some people grow old with numbers, but they stay strong!

This 86 year old German gymnast is the same way. She's been doing gymnastics for over 60 years. [SIXTY!!!] She stepped out onto the floor and on the p-bars [which is not a female event these days..] and killed it! Cartwheels, planches.. I'm impressed!





She's amazing! Her name is Johanna Quass and she's officially one of my heroes. I always had the goal of being 50 or 60 and doing cartwheels and handstands with my best friend, but now that has been upped. I better be doing them until the day I die.

love,
elizabethany

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watch: espn sport science on gymnastics

It may only be gymnasts who want to watch this, but everyone should!

ESPN broke it down on gymnastics! The balance, the strength, the speed... All things science! How it starts: "The best athletes on the planet could just be gymnasts."

Ya damn right, John!



Anyone who ever watched gymnastics and thought it was no big thang, now ya know you're wrong.

And now I know I was a BFD! Also- I'm on my way to the gym now before the chat tonight, thanks to this video!

love,
elizabethany

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watch: insane tumbler is almost unreal

I've obviously seen my fair share of pretty awesome tumbling in my day... And each year it's like the skills get harder and harder! The things people do these days would never have been IMAGINED when I was competing.

THIS guy is breaking the mold. I don't know anyone who could do this, and I know some crazy mofo'ing tumblers.



At first I thought, "okay, cool..." Then it got real. Really real. So real, it was unreal.

Okay, ADD... shut up.

love,
elizabethany

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watch: crazy indian pole gymnastics

Tweet[Disclaimer: The big bossman told me not to give him credit for showing me this video, so I shall say that it was our office scapegoat, Emo Sarah, who told me to check this craziness out.]

Have you ever heard of this Indian pole gymnastics stuff?! NO WONDER pole dancing is trying to get into the Olympics! This puts the National Pole Dancing Championships to SHAME!



Ummmm OW! WOAH! CRAZY!

How in the world does a man flip and land on/catch a pole with his CROTCH?! Yowza.

This is freakin' crazy though. I expected to see some cool pole dancing, and went on to tell Sarah that I wanted to take pole dancing classes and that I thought Candy95 logos all over the videos would be a great idea.... Now I'm even MORE determined to make myself a professional pole dancer/gymnast.

Props to these Indian gymnast boys.... and whoever they marry... Cuz they ain't gonna be havin' babies.

love,
elizabethany

watch: the bucks mascot is my hero

Holy crap. I don't watch much basketball, nor have I ever been to an NBA game, but apparently I need to ASAP. The mascots are badass.

Check out what the Milwaukee Bucks mascot did at one of the playoff games.



I think it's time we all bow down to him. Proclaim him our hero, maybe even our god.

I was nearly having a panic attack just watching the small video on YouTube. I can't imagine being there, or being HIM. Wow. That's... Incredible.

love,
elizabethany

watch: britains got talent gymnasts are ridiculous

Being a gymnast, maybe I'm a little biased in what I love and want to win, but I really hope this group wins Britain's Got Talent.

They're a acro-gymnastics group and they're really freakin' good. There's SO much going on!

Just watch. Make sure you watch 'til the end. You won't regret it.

Wow. Wow wow wow.

In the beginning it was cool, I was impressed... By the middle, I had goosebumps. Human jumprope! Throwing people everywhere and doing double flips [there may have even been a triple flip in there... I have to re-watch!] and everything!

And I'm not sure if you noticed, but they're just on the stage. No excessive mats or anything... Just their teammates to catch them.

This made me so emotional, I loved it! Britain is also better at editing this sort of show, apparently... It was put together perfectly! The build-up, the judges reactions, the expression on the team's faces...

Gah. I'm in love. I shall follow their journey and hope they win!

love,
elizabethany

olympic gold medals love each other

Ooh lookie here! Two Olympic-related posts today!

Apparently there's something new playing cupid these days: The Olympic gold medal!

Nastia Liukin won it in the All-Around for gymnastics in 2008, and now she's dating Evan Lysacek! [He's the first one to win a gold for men's figure skating in 22 years!] Apparently it's been going on since last summer! Looks like the world missed the memo.

When I first saw him, the first thing that came to mind was "Woah. He looks just like a Ken doll. I hope he's dating Barbie!"

Well, I think he is. Look at the resemblance!

Ohh, the irony! It's only right that Olympic gold medal Barbie date Olympic gold medal Ken. Too bad they don't come in the same box... I'm more of a money-saver, all-in-one-deal kinda girl.

I hope it lasts! They're pretty.

love,
elizabethany

really embarrassing sports moments

I haven't done much celebrating the Olympics on here! No bueno. With only 6 days left, I guess I better step up my game.

In honor of Vancouver 2010, we shall take a look at some really embarrassing moments in the land of sports when cameras are around.

Worse than a soccer mom: A cock grabbing dad.



I did hear that a majority of NFL players are gay or have gay tendencies...



She's way too ugly to be letting that happen in public.



This is a vision I saw every time I was about to vault, I kid you not.



Ohh, this is just not good.



I officially just barfed in my mouth. Several time. OMG.



Getting bullied on the field?! Fail.



Owned.



Uh, honey.... I think your leotard is a little too small. Glad you shaved, though.



I guess she's trying to make her go weak in the knees or something...

To the Vancouver athletes: I hope you don't get a picture taken like this... For your own sake. I, of course, would love it.

love,
elizabethany

watch: the strongest kid in the world

I always thought my teammates and I were really strong kids growing up in the gym... Then I saw this 5 year-old and realized we were basically nothing.

First of all, he's Romanian. Romanians are crazy about their strength, health, whatever... And they always produce amazing gymnasts at a super young age. I have no idea if this kid does real gymnastics, but if he doesn't, he needs to ASAP.

Anyway, he just got the Guinness World Record for Strongest Kid after doing this handstand walk with a medicine ball.



Absolutely. INSANE!!!

You may think "this isn't that cool" but you have to remember-- HE'S FIVE YEARS OLD!!!!

Wow. He's totally Olympic-bound 2024 if he sticks with it, so remember the name and face!

Giuliano Stroe.

love,
elizabethany

watch: ukraine's got talent kids

I have no idea what this show is really called in English, nor do I have any clue what they're saying during the video, but that's not the point.

If you skip through all of the jibber jabber that will have your brain screaming WTF, you'll see a 6 year old and a 7 year old do some incredibly awesome and hard "tricks."



Some of the things they are doing are moves that olympic gymnasts have to do in their routines! It's absolutely incredible. That little boy has to be the strongest little kid I have ever seen in my life.

Gah... The life of talented little kids. I wish I had been a prodigy of sorts.

love,
elizabethany

watch: most amazing trickster ever

If the first couple of seconds of this video don't amaze you, you're not human.

This guy takes gymnastics to an entirely new level... literally. He's on top of cars, buildings, walls, moving objects... Flipping onto or off of them all. I couldn't even blink I was so amazed. Just watch.



SERIOUSLY dude?!? Wow. I can't even imagine how he came up with half of the things he did. For a while I thought "I know this one guy who I used to beat in flip-offs that could now do all of this stuff." Then I changed my mind. This dude is one of a kind. He's also easily one of the strongest guys in the country, and maybe even the world... And no, I'm not kidding.

I'm going to go watch it again.

love,
elizabethany

watch: part basketball, part soccer, part gymnastics

I love watching videos of people making crazy beer pong shots, or even crazy tricks with dominos. But this video trumps all.

It's a couple of people making ridiculous basketball shots, by means of kicking and flipping. Just watch. Now.



Shut. The eff. Up. I can't believe my eyes!!! This is absolutely incredible. I always tried to be the cartwheel goalie when I was little [Block the goals by doing cartwheels.. duh.] but it certainly never worked as well as the flipping is for these guys.

I've never seen the Harlem Globetrotters... But I'm pretty sure these guys need to form their own team and become the next big name.

love,
elizabethany