At least I think it's day 42?
I have to admit I've been getting pretty lax on writing my daily journals. When you come to the end of a trip like this, it just seems like a waste of precious time.
Speaking of time, it is currently 3am here and I am up writing a screenplay. Well, taking a break really...I am at 80 pages right now.
I've discovered something really interesting through this class too-I'm great at writing characters! I mean I already knew that I could write up a character bio for acting purposes but I mean really, I feel like I do a really good job making people.
Not that that's great for much practically, however it is something that I can be confident about which is really encouraging.
In case you don't know, I'm not great at much. I'm decent at lots of things.
So this class has been a ton of fun and I hate to see my creativity playground leave so soon, however it is nice to see the other side of the script, if you will.
Prague is gorgeous as ever. Every day closer to the end makes my heart break a little thinking about how I could possibly say goodbye to this city. It's like no other place on earth.
And now I bet you can tell, I write in only two lines or so at a time. Thank you screenwriting. Haha! I didn't notice that before now, it's kind of weird. But I guess it's easier to read?
Here's Elyz saying:
Smirk doesn't mean what you think it means.
~Elyz~
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Day 36 (Prague, CZ)
For all you out there wondering when I was ever going to post again, Congrats!
Here it is. Be happy.
I actually have been writing a ridiculous amount lately but it's all been channeled to my screenplay "BOHEMIAN." So I have a good excuse for ignoring my blog.
Prague is wonderful. I love it here so very much. It's weird though, as everyone's thoughts turn to leaving, I'm not sure how to describe the feeling. I want to be home with my friends and family. I also want to be here, with these friends and in this place with so much to teach me.
It's paradoxical.
I have this paralyzing fear that I'll come back and turn into "Old Elyz" again. So maybe that's why I'd like to stay...
When we were in Cesky Krumlov a friend wondered aloud what would happen if someone decided to just stay. It's an incredible thought. It's like quicksand of the imagination. To stay, to write and act and serve...here.
And then reality kicks you in the face with a Bachelor's Degree and an Apartment Lease and your pitiful friends and family who would be devastated. So for all those friends and family--I'm not staying, don't freak out.
But the thought is overpowering.
Adventure. Discovery. Freedom. All the things I've found here and found in myself are so heavy, I'm not sure I'll be able to adapt to America again.
Another friend here who has been many places and served in the Peace Corps as well said that she felt like she'd been so many places that none of them felt like home anymore.
Being a Christian I don't mind that as much, but it's still a striking statement. Your home is everywhere and yet nowhere. I am sure that my Home is with my Maker, but while I'm here it all feels like a foreign land.
I said I'd die for Christ in class the other day. I don't think I've ever been more filled with the Spirit. And simply my being able to say that is an encouragement to myself that I have changed. Not that I wouldn't before, but that I'd say that to a class full of not-necessarily-Christian peers.
Not to say I've arrived or am some super-Christian now by any means. But I know whom I serve and it's good to know that my tongue is learning some discipline.
The people here are getting restless. I can't believe no one thought to use this opportunity as a reality show! 50 NCSU students living in the same Hostel for 6 weeks straight! People are either loving or hating each other at this point, which makes everything a bit more complicated.
But life is beautiful like that, and complicated.
Anyway, I'll try to post again later. I've got a concert to catch today!
The Roma,
~Elyz~
Here it is. Be happy.
I actually have been writing a ridiculous amount lately but it's all been channeled to my screenplay "BOHEMIAN." So I have a good excuse for ignoring my blog.
Prague is wonderful. I love it here so very much. It's weird though, as everyone's thoughts turn to leaving, I'm not sure how to describe the feeling. I want to be home with my friends and family. I also want to be here, with these friends and in this place with so much to teach me.
It's paradoxical.
I have this paralyzing fear that I'll come back and turn into "Old Elyz" again. So maybe that's why I'd like to stay...
When we were in Cesky Krumlov a friend wondered aloud what would happen if someone decided to just stay. It's an incredible thought. It's like quicksand of the imagination. To stay, to write and act and serve...here.
And then reality kicks you in the face with a Bachelor's Degree and an Apartment Lease and your pitiful friends and family who would be devastated. So for all those friends and family--I'm not staying, don't freak out.
But the thought is overpowering.
Adventure. Discovery. Freedom. All the things I've found here and found in myself are so heavy, I'm not sure I'll be able to adapt to America again.
Another friend here who has been many places and served in the Peace Corps as well said that she felt like she'd been so many places that none of them felt like home anymore.
Being a Christian I don't mind that as much, but it's still a striking statement. Your home is everywhere and yet nowhere. I am sure that my Home is with my Maker, but while I'm here it all feels like a foreign land.
I said I'd die for Christ in class the other day. I don't think I've ever been more filled with the Spirit. And simply my being able to say that is an encouragement to myself that I have changed. Not that I wouldn't before, but that I'd say that to a class full of not-necessarily-Christian peers.
Not to say I've arrived or am some super-Christian now by any means. But I know whom I serve and it's good to know that my tongue is learning some discipline.
The people here are getting restless. I can't believe no one thought to use this opportunity as a reality show! 50 NCSU students living in the same Hostel for 6 weeks straight! People are either loving or hating each other at this point, which makes everything a bit more complicated.
But life is beautiful like that, and complicated.
Anyway, I'll try to post again later. I've got a concert to catch today!
The Roma,
~Elyz~
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Day 15 (Prague, CZ)
Cathedrals.
So we went to the cathedral inside the Prague Castle yesterday and it inspired me to write this blog.
Imagine, if you will, the Notre Dame. Probably one of the most well-known churches in the world, correct? Imagine the sheer size of the building, the intricacy of the stained glass, the weight of each cyclopean block it is built with. Now imagine the years upon years that it took to build the monstrous church. Imagine the money spent and the hours it required and possibly even the injuries incurred during the building process.
What a waste.
Can you even imagine what all that money and effort could have done if spent reaching out and serving others rather than building a fortress to shut the members off from the "tainted" world? What a monstrosity to our own pride and selfishness. I walked into the huge church and wanted to scream and cry at the same time. Look at this cage we've built for ourselves. I'm not saying we shouldn't build churches at all but just look at all the time and money we've wasted trying to look prestigious to a world that Jesus already told us was going to hate us.
Who are we trying to fool?
Even those who do not believe as we do have told me several times that their main problem with Christianity is that the Christians are hypocrites. Even while I've been abroad I've spoken with a peer who said that it shocked him to see just how the American church shuts itself inside its own walls and refuses to do what the Bible clearly teaches Christ has asked us to do. To go and to serve.
I hope we never put saving face over the Gospel of Christ and serving others. Take a look at yourself, and I will too even though I know it's not pretty. What are we giving up? Correction: Are we giving anything up at all for the sake of Christ?
Let's start now.
Convicted,
Elyz
So we went to the cathedral inside the Prague Castle yesterday and it inspired me to write this blog.
Imagine, if you will, the Notre Dame. Probably one of the most well-known churches in the world, correct? Imagine the sheer size of the building, the intricacy of the stained glass, the weight of each cyclopean block it is built with. Now imagine the years upon years that it took to build the monstrous church. Imagine the money spent and the hours it required and possibly even the injuries incurred during the building process.
What a waste.
Can you even imagine what all that money and effort could have done if spent reaching out and serving others rather than building a fortress to shut the members off from the "tainted" world? What a monstrosity to our own pride and selfishness. I walked into the huge church and wanted to scream and cry at the same time. Look at this cage we've built for ourselves. I'm not saying we shouldn't build churches at all but just look at all the time and money we've wasted trying to look prestigious to a world that Jesus already told us was going to hate us.
Who are we trying to fool?
Even those who do not believe as we do have told me several times that their main problem with Christianity is that the Christians are hypocrites. Even while I've been abroad I've spoken with a peer who said that it shocked him to see just how the American church shuts itself inside its own walls and refuses to do what the Bible clearly teaches Christ has asked us to do. To go and to serve.
I hope we never put saving face over the Gospel of Christ and serving others. Take a look at yourself, and I will too even though I know it's not pretty. What are we giving up? Correction: Are we giving anything up at all for the sake of Christ?
Let's start now.
Convicted,
Elyz
Monday, May 23, 2011
Day 5 (Prague, CZ)
Tada! Here it is the first blog from overseas! I'm sure you all are just antsy waiting for all the hilarious fiascos that have ensued. However, this blog isn't going to be about those just yet...
...This blog is going to be about wandering.
But before I get to that, let's start at the beginning: The scene is me alone in Hermia (my car) driving to work at Red Robin late last summer. I had felt for some time that I was supposed to be doing something great for God this summer, but could never put my finger on exactly what He wanted of me. I'd been squinting for so long trying to see the details of what God had in mind. (Mostly to make sure it all looked safe and profitable before I committed financially and emotionally to this enterprise.)
I was driving and praying aloud, getting pretty flustered considering I was trying so very hard to just do what God wanted and why couldn't He just make it clear already? I finally gave up. I said something like, "Fine. I'll just stop looking and if you want me to do something then I guess you'll let me know..." I wasn't driving 2 minutes past that point that it hit me clearly.
I had been given a love for the people of Prague. I always knew that, but somewhere in the squinting I had lost the big picture, the people. If God wasn't giving me a clear calling and opening to another people, then why was I doubting the love He had already put in my heart? I remember breathing a sigh of relief and laughing myself to tears as I thought how incredibly complicated I had made the most simple thing. I was going to Prague.
*Fastforward*
Since then it really hasn't gotten much clearer. Of course He opened the door for me to receive help from a mentor and several literary resources, but it was simple faith and focus on the big picture that has brought me to my current place: sitting on my bed in a rowdy hostel in the suburbs of Prague, CZ.
While this is not the most likely mission trip I've already been severely pruned, haha, I wish I could say easily. In the past 5 days God has showed me where I'll begin.
Day 1: God showed me how faith really works. Through several instances of the Holy Spirit's wisdom and occurrences that I could not explain, He's showed me just how much He can begin to use me when I really trust Him.
Day 2: God introduced me to holiness. The thought of being holy is common enough in my mind, however it has been reinvented these past days. Through experiencing peer pressure and the easy pull of social norms I more clearly saw the stark contrast between a lover of Christ and the world.
Day 3: God encouraged me about my own spiritual walk. Without having spoken evangelistically with the girls once they identified me as a Christian. While this may not seem like a lot, it really encouraged me as it can become so easy to think that you haven't grown in the Lord in so long. God opened the doors and all I had to do was follow through the doorway.
Day 4: God pointed out some more blind spots. There are several which have become evident however I'll only mention a few. The morning of this day I woke to find some of my property thrown away on accident by the loud cleaning crew. God let me see my own anger and evil reactions. Also, later that day He let me see just how much tunnel vision I had grown to accept. Seeing the demonstrations and opportunities open at the Globe Theatre, I saw just how much I had come to accept defeat in my goal: to combine excellence in theatre with reaching the lost.
Today: Today has been interesting...to say the least. Coming to the pension has been a breath of fresh air compared to stuffy London, however it is not all that safe to breathe easily yet. My first dinner I overheard several students talking about how they were going to convince another student to drink while abroad and how it was silly that he didn't already. He is a diabetic. God is showing me just how much lies ahead and I won't lie--it's intimidating. But God commands us so many times over in His Word to "be strong and very courageous." I've learned so much thus far and can only hope that the pruning continues and perhaps even helps to show others the love of my Christ.
In short, I've learned that this is not the vacation from struggles into a luscious white field to be quickly and easily harvested. This is the desert. And God has called me here to teach me and train me for what He has for me next. (Which, by the way, I have no earthly idea what it is)
I do love Prague but each day has and will be a training ground. I praise God that He's already fulfilling His promises and that, although I have none else, I have Him. And I have Him just as fully as I did in the States. And that gives me the courage to press on for the prize which is my Christ.
Pray for me,
~Elyz~
...This blog is going to be about wandering.
But before I get to that, let's start at the beginning: The scene is me alone in Hermia (my car) driving to work at Red Robin late last summer. I had felt for some time that I was supposed to be doing something great for God this summer, but could never put my finger on exactly what He wanted of me. I'd been squinting for so long trying to see the details of what God had in mind. (Mostly to make sure it all looked safe and profitable before I committed financially and emotionally to this enterprise.)
I was driving and praying aloud, getting pretty flustered considering I was trying so very hard to just do what God wanted and why couldn't He just make it clear already? I finally gave up. I said something like, "Fine. I'll just stop looking and if you want me to do something then I guess you'll let me know..." I wasn't driving 2 minutes past that point that it hit me clearly.
I had been given a love for the people of Prague. I always knew that, but somewhere in the squinting I had lost the big picture, the people. If God wasn't giving me a clear calling and opening to another people, then why was I doubting the love He had already put in my heart? I remember breathing a sigh of relief and laughing myself to tears as I thought how incredibly complicated I had made the most simple thing. I was going to Prague.
*Fastforward*
Since then it really hasn't gotten much clearer. Of course He opened the door for me to receive help from a mentor and several literary resources, but it was simple faith and focus on the big picture that has brought me to my current place: sitting on my bed in a rowdy hostel in the suburbs of Prague, CZ.
While this is not the most likely mission trip I've already been severely pruned, haha, I wish I could say easily. In the past 5 days God has showed me where I'll begin.
Day 1: God showed me how faith really works. Through several instances of the Holy Spirit's wisdom and occurrences that I could not explain, He's showed me just how much He can begin to use me when I really trust Him.
Day 2: God introduced me to holiness. The thought of being holy is common enough in my mind, however it has been reinvented these past days. Through experiencing peer pressure and the easy pull of social norms I more clearly saw the stark contrast between a lover of Christ and the world.
Day 3: God encouraged me about my own spiritual walk. Without having spoken evangelistically with the girls once they identified me as a Christian. While this may not seem like a lot, it really encouraged me as it can become so easy to think that you haven't grown in the Lord in so long. God opened the doors and all I had to do was follow through the doorway.
Day 4: God pointed out some more blind spots. There are several which have become evident however I'll only mention a few. The morning of this day I woke to find some of my property thrown away on accident by the loud cleaning crew. God let me see my own anger and evil reactions. Also, later that day He let me see just how much tunnel vision I had grown to accept. Seeing the demonstrations and opportunities open at the Globe Theatre, I saw just how much I had come to accept defeat in my goal: to combine excellence in theatre with reaching the lost.
Today: Today has been interesting...to say the least. Coming to the pension has been a breath of fresh air compared to stuffy London, however it is not all that safe to breathe easily yet. My first dinner I overheard several students talking about how they were going to convince another student to drink while abroad and how it was silly that he didn't already. He is a diabetic. God is showing me just how much lies ahead and I won't lie--it's intimidating. But God commands us so many times over in His Word to "be strong and very courageous." I've learned so much thus far and can only hope that the pruning continues and perhaps even helps to show others the love of my Christ.
In short, I've learned that this is not the vacation from struggles into a luscious white field to be quickly and easily harvested. This is the desert. And God has called me here to teach me and train me for what He has for me next. (Which, by the way, I have no earthly idea what it is)
I do love Prague but each day has and will be a training ground. I praise God that He's already fulfilling His promises and that, although I have none else, I have Him. And I have Him just as fully as I did in the States. And that gives me the courage to press on for the prize which is my Christ.
Pray for me,
~Elyz~
Monday, May 2, 2011
USA (Day -16)
So you all should know by now that Osama Bin Laden has been killed by the US Military. But that's not what this post is about.
This post is about my plot ideas for my upcoming screenplay which currently has no title. (I'm looking for feedback so please, please comment!)
I'll try to explain the general idea without giving away the good parts.
The story centers around a dying theatre company in (you guessed it) Prague, CZ. The theatre has been spiraling downhill because of the members' declining reputation as well as the declining economy in the struggling city. The previous cast and crew have left the theatre for more legitimate work and it has been kept up by a mostly homeless group of artists who live and work together in the theatre. We enter their world with a mysterious young Italian woman looking for purpose and, as far as we know, alone in the world. I won't give away too much, but the screenplay would highlight many characters in order to give flavor to the mix of artists. Each character has a story and will have a chance to show us how they got here before the end. Each character also effects the others like dominoes and changes the outcome, some for the better and some perhaps not.
That's all I can say without giving it all away. Haha, let me know what you think!
Na Shledanou!
~Elyz~
This post is about my plot ideas for my upcoming screenplay which currently has no title. (I'm looking for feedback so please, please comment!)
I'll try to explain the general idea without giving away the good parts.
The story centers around a dying theatre company in (you guessed it) Prague, CZ. The theatre has been spiraling downhill because of the members' declining reputation as well as the declining economy in the struggling city. The previous cast and crew have left the theatre for more legitimate work and it has been kept up by a mostly homeless group of artists who live and work together in the theatre. We enter their world with a mysterious young Italian woman looking for purpose and, as far as we know, alone in the world. I won't give away too much, but the screenplay would highlight many characters in order to give flavor to the mix of artists. Each character has a story and will have a chance to show us how they got here before the end. Each character also effects the others like dominoes and changes the outcome, some for the better and some perhaps not.
That's all I can say without giving it all away. Haha, let me know what you think!
Na Shledanou!
~Elyz~
Monday, April 11, 2011
USA (Day -37)
So for those of you who are just now finding me, my name (for all intents and purposes) is Elyz. I am from the USA and work at the oh-so-interesting parking booth where I push a button for pay. I would like to warn all you non-American countries that I'll be traveling this summer and may, in fact, frequent your country.
I'll be studying screenwriting and literature. However I'll also be keeping up this blog to let all our American friends know how the rest of the world works. I'll write on things like culture, language, adventure and what I'll see about God's plan for my life and his beautiful creation. On the way you may encounter some theatrical reviews, food critiques and artful photography, but be warned there will probably be some late night rants and dramatic whining as well.
Happy Reading!
Na Shledanou!
~Elyz the Gypsy~
I'll be studying screenwriting and literature. However I'll also be keeping up this blog to let all our American friends know how the rest of the world works. I'll write on things like culture, language, adventure and what I'll see about God's plan for my life and his beautiful creation. On the way you may encounter some theatrical reviews, food critiques and artful photography, but be warned there will probably be some late night rants and dramatic whining as well.
Happy Reading!
Na Shledanou!
~Elyz the Gypsy~
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