[the long awaited] September

"You maintain my lot, the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places." -Psalm 16:6


Well, I'm here.

Officially living in Prague, Czech Republic.

Attending the intensive acting for film program at the Prague Film School

... and intense it exactly what it is (but more of that later).

I don't think it's really hit me that I'm actually here.

Walking around the city, surrounded by so many inspirations, 

fashionably, photographically, physically...

it's unbelievable. 

So many languages. So many styles. So many PEOPLE!

It's also very convenient being able to speak Slovak instead of English when need be.

Slovak has proved itself useful many a times, thus far.

I've been here for just over a month now and although time is FLYING by, 

 I also feel like I've been here for months.
*awkward feelings*

So this is school?!

No way... it's not school when you love every single class...

It's not homework when what you're working on is what you want to do for the rest of your life...

They aren't teachers... they're legitimate professionals in their line of work.

(A few of my faculty...
  Nancy Bishop, Brian Caspe, Jessica Boone,Guy Roberts, Daniel Brown...
Check 'em out!)

But as I was saying about intense, uh yea.
My classes:

Acting Block

Acting Ensemble

Acting Styles

Acting Theory

Dance

Film Production

Meisner Technique
Movement

Shakespeare

Singing

Stage Combat

Voice

Yoga

It's a lot, but for the first time in my life, I can focus 100% on acting for film, which is simply amazing.

I leave school thinking,

“Agh, so much to do... wait, no... no job, no 'pointless' homework (math, politics, research, yada, yada, yada), no distractions.... all I have is watching fantastic movies, reading insightful books (and I hate reading), memorizing scripts, scheduling film projects, working out, practicing methods and buy fresh veggies at the market outside my flat.
Whata life.
But seriously, even though I don't have a job here or "pointless homework," 
there is still so much to do. 
I've been incredibly busy.

We're tight with the 50 film making students,

but nothing's tighter then the relationship us actors have with each other. 

After all, there's only 10 of us. 

It's difficult to explain the bond between actors...

Classes everyday for 8 hours, practice outside of class and then of course filming. 

With 60 students total, the PFS (Prague Film School) crew is family. 

An international family; 30 countries are represented here this year.
If there's one thing I've learned thus far,
you can never, ever know where a person is from based on accent and dress.
Needless to say, I'm not the only one who has moved around quite a bit while growing up.
Although I don't speak 5 languages, I feel right at home.

My nationality is Canadian/American here, and although I'm proud to represent both,
I still take it as a compliment when people think I'm from Europe.


It's been about 6 weeks and I already have 10 films under my belt, with 5 more coming up this week.
I'm signed with two casting agencies so far, and have auditions lined up.
My flat is amazing, and my screenwriting flatmate and I get along really well.


Life is so interesting here... 
I find myself in this strange situation....
Last year, at this very time, I could not wait to get here,
could not wait to start the rest of my life.
And now I'm here, and I still don't know where exactly my life is going.

But it's ok...
The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. (Prov. 16:1)
I've prepared, now it's God's job to tell me what to do next.
How much better to get wisdom than gold! (Prov. 16:16)
It's difficult not having job for the first time in years, but I'm here to study. And it's good.

The lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Prov. 16:33)

I do what I can, but God decides the results.



I find those verses very comforting and extremely appropriate, especially the past few weeks.
There's so much going on, so much I don't know.
But what I do know is I'm here for a reason.
And that He brought me here.
And that I'm so grateful and blessed to have this opportunity.

As for prayer requests, I would appreciate prayer for wisdom and focus.
There is so much to do, and honestly not that much time.
So many decisions to make, so many opportunities.
I want to make sure my ears are open to Him and my feet are ready to walk His walk.
Whatever, whenever and wherever that may be.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again -
I can honestly feel the prayers.
There are days I have energy, when I should be exhausted.
Calm, when I should be upset.
Healthy, when I should be sick.
Creative, when I don't think I am.
Of course there are rough days every once in a while,
but overall, there's this peace, this calm and a definite excitement : ).

Thank you so much for your prayers.
There is no other way to say it.

With love and gratitude,
 from Prague,

Sarah
Prov. 16:33




A look at September...

My cousin (Lindsay) joined me while I visited Slovakia for a week before school started.

SO good to see my dear friend Veronika again. Stayed with her for most of the week.

 Very much loving European chocolate.

Caving with my host sister Janka.

Here we go...

Screenwriting flatmate Caroline. 

Metros and trams everyday now.

Such a beautiful place to live.

In class.

Filming

The video wasn't uploading to the blog right, so here's the link to see a vlog I had to make for a class:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sarahmbrown88

To see more pictures and current updates, check out:
http://www.facebook.com/SarahBrownFanPage

Julygust

July/August


I'm currently at the DC airport for my first layover. 

Next stop Copenhagen, then Prague. 

Then taking a train to Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia. 

After a few days, training to Bratislava, Slovakia for a night. 

Then training to Prague. 

Then - orientation, school, adventure :).

---

Well, I'm not doing so well with this whole monthly blog thing...

It's a lot harder than I thought to sit down, reflect on the past 4 weeks and then write about them. 

Now, if I were to tell to you by word of mouth, well...

I have no problem doing that ;). 

This is why I'm no writer, but rather, pursuing a career in talking :]. 

Oh, yes. 

Well, then. 

July + August = Julygust. 

One huge blur of a hunk of weeks. 

Not that it's an excuse, since internet is almost all over the United States, but during the past 6 weeks I've been in 7 states and some of them multiple times. 

-Mid Ohio

-Illinois

-Columbus, Ohio

-Texas

-Arkansas

-Kentucky

-Mid Ohio

-Illinois

-Indiana

-Northern Ohio

-Georgia

Never a dull moment, always an adventure. 

I'm just going to combine July and August, since they honestly ran together so well.

 Julygust:

It's funny how when we tell God what we want and don't want, He reverses it, giving us more of what we don't have and zero of what we want lol. 

In the industry world I had more promos (promotional modeling gigs) and bigger promos in the past 6 weeks than I may have had in the past 3 years. It was such a blessing finically, although exhausting on the body at times. God knows where we need to be and when though, and I met some really neat people and had some fabulous experiences through those promos.

Got the privilege of acting in Columbus' 48 Hour Film Project contest. Again, met some great people and had a lot of fun. 

Without skipping a beat, my agency sent me to Kentucky for the Venus Model Search 2011. I was hesitant, but again, a good experience for me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone. 

*

To be continued... now boarding... off to Copenhagen!

*

I am now over flying the Atlantic Ocean... less than five hours till we land in Copenhagen. 

No internet, so I'm writing the remainder of this blog in a "Stickie." 

(For those of you non-Mac users, it's like a giant posted note on your desk top. I'm still  too mac-dumb to figure out where I can actually write documents.)

Oh, yea! I got a Mac! After nine months of not having a laptop/computer, I finally had enough money to by a 13" MacBook Pro. 

I've gotta say, if it wasn't for my smart phone (the Android Aris and then the Droid X), I would have been in biiiig trouble. 

Those phones saved my butt from school emails, to job assignments, to Facebook messages, to Twitter updates. 

I mean seriously, gotta stay on top of the important things... ;)

But honestly, I wouldn't have gotten nearly the amount of work (through my agency, Cheesecake and Mary Kay) if it weren't for those smart phone/s. 

*

Continuing...

In the pink world of Mary Kay ;), mom, sister (Amy) and I traveled down to Texas at the end of July for the annual Mary Kay seminar. 

It wasn't annual to us, since we're all beginners (I started in December, Amy in April and mum in July), but I think it will be from now on. 

Such a fabulous experience. We were treated like royalty. Literally. 

I earned (and received at seminar) my new FREE Red Jacket!

I LOVE it! And actually, I like it so much.... I've taken the pins off and it's currently somewhere below me, hidden away in my suitcase. 

The awesome thing with Mary Kay is, even though I was hardly at home these past 6 weeks and therefore wasn't able to focus on skin care parties, I was still able to maintain income through reorders placed while I was out of state. My clients contacted me whichever way was easiest for them, I placed the order online that night and it was delivered to them in the mail a few days later. 

Talk about service - that's Mary Kay. 
ALSO, I'll still be able to work my business while overseas through online orders.

I'm blessed. 

And so very excited for my sister and mum as they too start their own businesses!

They're, both, already rocking it ;). 


OH! Also in August I chopped 10 inches of hair off 
and turned 23. 

As for Prague... well, I'm actually on my way at this very moment =]. 

Doesn't get too much better than that. 

Which means, my Czech visa arrived! 

My classes are in order. 

I find out where I'm living and who I'm living with at orientation (Sept. 9). 

And my adventure has already started...

I've been waiting for this moment for so long. So long. 

I think I say this every month, but I truly mean it when I say I can feel the prayers you, all, are praying. 

Example: I know many people were praying for me today as I set out. 

And now, I'm somehow sitting in 1st class, with plenty of space, a bed for a chair, and wayyy to much gourmet food for my own good. 

Thanks for the prayers, ya'll! ;)

(I was in ATL for the past 3 days, so I had to say "ya'll"....)

But seriously, through the chaos of the past few weeks, everything has fallen into place and God has worked out some amazing details. 

I can't give specific details on everything, but please know - your prayers are definitely heard and very much appreciated. 

God works in mysterious ways 

and everything happens for a reason. 

*

I am now waiting at the Copenhagen Airport. 

I waited at this exact gate a year and half ago when flying to Finland. 

It's funny when you recognize airport workers. 

And I do, in Frankfurt and now Copenhagen.

You have to pay for internet here... as well as bathrooms and water...

So, I'm still typing on my "sticky note" ;). 

My flight from DC was wunderbar... (Wonderful in German).. wow.

Don't think I've ever been treated so well on a plane. 

As I sit here at this gate, the sense of familiarity hits all too well. 

The languages, the people, the architecture, the food, the clothes, the looks, the mannerisms. 

A flood of memories comes pouring in and yet, I feel like this, waiting in an airport, is normal. Feels regular. Feels good.

QUESTION: When you sneeze in a foreign airport, do you still say "excuse me" to yourself in English, even though the people around you may or may not speak it? Or do you just go on like nothing happened?

I just sneezed, and now don't know what to do. 

Oh, dear. Wasn't prepared for this. 

*

Back to what I was writing over the Atlantic:

I can feel the prayers, support and love. 

And I thank you immensely. 

My mind is full and body tired, 

but God is good all the while.

With love and gratitude, 

Sarah
Ecc. 3:1

*

I am now on a train headed for Slovakia ...


-


A few moments of July...

Working one of the many promos, this one in Illinois.

 Columbus' 48 Hour Film Project

Finally got my Mac!

 Dallas, Texas for Mary Kay Seminar!
Wonderful being there with mum and sister, 
and loving my NEWLY earned jacket!




A few moments from August..

Venus 2011 in Kentucky

Promo in Mid Ohio.

10 inches off, baby!

10 day promo in Illinois. 

Celebrating my 23rd while working in Illinois.

Meeting up with Slovak friends at Cedar Point in Ohio!

Celebrating my birthday and saying goodbye. 

<3 family.

Saying goodbye to friends in Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta airport! 
Off I go!

Blogging in the airport. 

So much to catch up on!

See you next month.... in Prague :)

Or online at http://www.facebook.com/SarahBrownFanPage

June's Jitters

JUNE


June was a bit jittery. 

The verse that never left my mind this month was Phil. 4:6 - 

"Be anxious for nothing... but give thanks to God."

Often I become so anxious for the next step that I forget where I am at the moment. 

Just like wanting more, but not realizing what I already have. 

An example of this is my anxious nerves as I anticipate my European studies and travels. 

At times I become frustrated with "life here," as my travel bug infection spreads throughout my body. 

However, I seem to forget that God has already allowed me to travel to Kentucky for work and California and Virginia (which were first timers for me) for close friends since April alone. 

Not only have I been able to travel and make some amazing memories, but I've also had the privilege of visiting new places and experiencing new cultures with some incredible individuals.

In addition to traveling to Virginia, here's what went down during the month of June:

Got my ears pierced! =D 

Better late then never ;)

In PFS (Prague Film School) news, I got my list of fall semester courses! I'll be taking Curriculum in Acting Technique, Film Acting Practicum, Movement, Voice, Film Production and an elective of my choice. I have till the end of July to decide my elective... so many interesting ones to chose from!

There's never a dull moment in agency life.
Full of auditions, castings, filming, networking, ect. 

Found out George Clooney's film (Ides of March) that I was a part of back in February not only bumped up its premiere date from December 12 to August 31st, but it's also the opening film for the Venice Film Festival! Pretty neat to be a part of something so big.  

 Got to be the model in the Lash Love, NovaLash Extension video (if you get a chance, please vote for this video! It not only helps Amy, the lash extenstionist, but also me! :] ). Worked on set for a Sundance Film Festival and potential Disney Channel film (Gibsonburg) and brought along my little brother for his first film experience ever. In addition to getting paid and becoming an "official" actor, he said he wanted to audition for his high school's play now. Yay! ;). Also worked on set for the independent film "Call Me" and was asked to be on a team for Columbus' 48 Hour Film Festival. And a super fun treat was assisting the very talented Christina Littleton as a photographer at one of her many weddings (Christina Littleton Photography). Always a pleasure :).

As for Mary Kay, thanks to my new team members, I was crowned Queen of the Court of Sharing at our unit's quarterly event. I am so thankful for the gift of Mary Kay's business opportunity that was presented to me last November. All money earned from Mary Kay goes directly into my savings for Prague, which now has a very comfortable base, such a blessing. Some of my newest team members have included members of my own family, and it's so fun to see them soar and dream again :).
Money doesn't buy us happiness, but it does give us choices.

Also, in June it was my parent's 26th wedding anniversary. And in celebration, they took two of my three brothers (and their two friends) and myself to a water park. Now that's love ;).

For weekly updates, pictures and links, be sure to check out my fan page SarahBrown.

June was full of joys, jitters and remembering that God is always in control. 

When you pray, He does answer. And almost always it's in ways we never even thought about. The hard part is accepting His answer and trusting that He knows what he's doing, even though we don't understand.

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." -Ecc. 3:1

As always, thank you for praying. 

With love and gratitude, 

Sarah
Phil. 4:6

________________

A few moments from June...

Ears pierced, check!

On set for NovaLash's "Love Those Lashes"

(Be sure to vote here!)

On set for "Gibsonburg" with little brother Chris and good friend Katy.

I was so excited to bring him along for his first film :)

 On set for "Call Me" with Katy.

(And that's apple juice for anyone curious...)

So excited my sister Amy, cousin Ellen and mum Deb (not pictured) have joined in on the Mary Kay opportunity!

Happy 26th wedding anniversary mum and dad :]

The Month of May

Just to clarify, I'll be sending out the previous months updates the first week of the current month. 

Does that make sense? So it's the end of the first week of June and I'm sending out May's news. 

It's not the end of the month till the very end, and anything is possible ;). 

So I want to make sure to get ALL of one months news into the update. 

OK. May :)

May

May went by so quickly!

It seriously feels like just last week I was writing the update for April. 

School is now finished for me (not taking any summer courses). 

I guess technically I'll start school again September 9th (Prague Film School orientation), but it's just hard for me to call studying something I love so much school! I truly am SO excited to finally get the chance to study an art that I'm so passionate about; acting for film.

Biggest achievement of May - got my Czech visa application finally sent off and APPROVED! Yahoo!  That application took months and finally, 89 pages later, it's finished. Also I've got to say, getting direct calls from the Czech Embassy 3 days in a row was pretty neat; especially the one where the lady said (in a very thick Czech accent), "I'm calling to confirm that we have received all the proper documents and your Czech visa has been approved. We are now sending it to Prague." 

Next up on my Prague-Prep list is buy my plane ticket! Scheduling classes should be done too, I suppose ;).

Life is staying busy in the entertainment industry world, May was no exception. 

I had the privilege of working a few promotional modeling gigs, walking in a runway show in Kentucky, being a model on FOX 45's morning show, numerous auditons and more. I'm very grateful for opportunities to work, meet new people and gain experience. 

There are also a few very exciting things in the works that hopefully I can share in the next update. Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment.  

In my Mary Kay business, I promoted myself from Star Team Builder to Star Team Leader. With 8 team members and 5 now active, I'm so excited to see what's in store for all of us. I was also extremely excited to see my mum and little sister join the Mary Kay family :). 

Life sure is staying busy and it's hard to believe how quickly the end of August is approaching. 

For weekly updates and pictures, be sure to check out my fan page SarahBrown. 

Even though it's only June, I can honestly feel the prayer support. It's so encouraging when I'm involved in situations that used to frustrate or irritate me that now I'm calm about and don't get worked up about. The power of prayer is so strong, in ways seen as well as unseen. 

May's biggest reminder: God knows best.

Thank you for praying. 

With love and gratitude, 

Sarah 

Psalm 27:14

____________________________

A few moments from May...

Goodbye, Czech visa application! 

Walking in the Lexington's Future of Fashion 2011 runway show.

Got to pet a Boa backstage at FOX 45!

Then went live on the morning show.

 Pinning and welcoming my little sister to Mary Kay :).