.... Continued from page 1

...The next weekend, at the Mayan Professional Finals

You could feel the electricity bolting from the Mayan about a block away.  EVERYONE was there that night.  Salseros from years past, who had not come out of their homes for AGES showed up (cobwebs hanging from their eyeballs, and all).  Salseros who swore they would "NEVER AGAIN go back to the Mayan", were there that night.  New Salseros, old Salseros, instructors, students, Hollywood scouts and moviestars.... you name them, they showed up that night. 

The crowd waited in anticipation of the first couple to enter the dance floor.   Amazingly, Josie called out the first "contender" as being Liz Watts.  "Due to unfortunate circumstances, Liz' partner was unable to attend.  But Liz, has decided to do a Solo exhibition performance for us tonight." 

Silence. 

The crowd watched in anticipation and curiosity as Liz gracefully walked across the Mayan dancestage, with her body covered in a Dick Tracy-style men's trenchcoat and hat. She had been preparing for this routine all week, with the help and expert advice / assistance of professional Salsa Dancers, Janette Valenzuela and Joby Vazquez of the Salsa Brava dance company.  

Slowly, the crowd began to whisper, and silently cheer her on, louder and louder.   "Go Lizzy, Go Lizzy!" More and more started yelling the same words, until the music suddenly began to roar.  She started her routine with a bang and threw off the hat and trenchcoat, revealing a beautiful innocent, soft white dress, which she wore for the remainder of her number.  When the sweet sounds of the clave entered the crowd's hearts, so did Liz' smile, energy, passion and love. 

Her attitude, her smile, and her incredible abilities as a jazz dancer sparkled through like a brilliant diamond under the glimmering stage lights.  Her arm flairs, jazzy turns, technical turns, patterns and attitude won the hearts of the entire audience.  The crowd's roar was defeaning. For two minutes she captivated everyone in the room and became the starlight of the evening.   She was magnificent.

It was breathtaking watching her.  Many had tears in their eyes.  By the end of the song, the crowd was already giving her a full-house standing ovation.  My heart pounded with pride and joy when I realized that this was the first performance ever recorded, in the History of the World, where a contestant competed solo, and I would have the honor of writing about it.

What a lesson of courage and strength she taught and gave to all of us that night. 
In the face of defeat, and against incredible odds,
one can "decide" to turn the tables around, blossom, and ultimately claim victory. 

It was truly a moment we will all never, ever forget. 

Click Here to Download Slides of Liz' incredible performance that evening...

"Edie,
Hi sweetie, how are you? I believe you are in town at the moment so should be able to pick up my e-mail. Its hard to keep up with your schedule. One minute you are here and the next you are gone. I think you are such a powerful women and everything you have done and are doing is incredible. You have so much drive and ambition and aside from what you are doing w/salsa web, you are a great dancer and a beautiful women inside and out. You are a person that doesn't just sit around and dream about what you want, you go after your dreams and fullfill them. And what an inspiration you are to others.

....what can I say but thank you for what you did. For taking the time and effort to give my story exposure. Here I am at working reading what you wrote and crying because what you did really means alot to me. I laughed when you wrote the Y....E......S......! response to my question if I should dance alone. I won't forget your encouraging words and for your support that night....
- Liz"

I've learned -That you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I've learned -That no matter how much you care, some people just don't care back.

I've learned -That it takes years to build up trust, but only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned -That it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.

I've learned -That you can get by on charm for about 15 minutes. After that, you'd better know something.

I've learned -That you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do.

I've learned -That it's not what happens to us that's important. It's what we do about it.

I've learned -That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

Liz Watts

I've learned -That no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides.

I've learned -That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I've learned -That it may be easier to react than to plan ahead, but it's much less effective.

I've learned -That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned -That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, passion fades and there had better be something stronger to take its place.


I've learned -That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I've learned -That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I've learned -That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

lizrudybeach.jpg (46632 bytes)
Liz Watts and her new dance partner, Rudy Gonzalez


I've learned -That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I've learned -That learning to forgive takes practice.

I've learned -That there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.

I've learned -That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I've learned -That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I've learned -That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned -That maturity has more to do with the experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned -That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned -That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned -That no matter how badly your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned -That background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other, and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned -That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I've learned -That your life can be changed in a matter of seconds by people who don't even know you.

I've learned -That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I've learned -That the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us.

I've learned -That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

lizrudydipbeach.jpg (47983 bytes)
Liz Watts and her new dance partner, Rudy Gonzalez

And Lastly, We have ALL learned,
That if your dance partner
FLAKES ON YOU

...it doesn't mean you can't dance!

From Liz:
"This next one when I first read I thought about my friend, Edie....   .:)  "

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