I thought we needed a good laugh after the heaviness of the typhoon yesterday. Watch this – it will crack you up! People are so funny…
Sarah Novak
Typhoon season came in with a bang last night. The weather service had predicted the typhoon to hit north of Manila, so no one was really prepared here for anything more than a few heavy showers. While it was no Ondoy in terms of the scale and scope of the damage, poor Nick and I...
Like the picture above, I’m at a place with my coaching where certain elements are crystal clear and others are just beginning to come into focus. Ever since I found coaching three years ago, I knew that, without a doubt, I had found the vehicle to get my message out. The thing was...
You are all well aware of the fact that I don’t really believe in doing anything small, especially when it comes to milestone birthdays. All it took was five months of hinting on my part before Nick caved and graciously agreed to host a 30th birthday bash for me (against his better...
Guess what arrived in the mail as my very first Birthday gift??? The biggest box of Retro ’80s candy I had ever seen!! Thanks to my oh-so-hip in-laws, I was the recipient of an assortment of popular candy from my childhood. I tell you, I was tickled pink by all the memories that...
In celebration of being back in Manila, I thought we’d all enjoy a little Sam to start our day off right! It’s been at least two weeks since I shared something of his with you, so I figured it was about time….
Ahhhh, Day 2 in Shanghai. Despite the challenges of Day 1, Nick and I were determined to start this day with a positive attitude. To get things kicked off on the right foot, we decided to indulge in a delicious breakfast at the Sofitel. :) I particularly enjoyed the dessert buffet, which...
I desperately tried to like you Shanghai, I really did. I know it’s cool to like China right now, with you being a rising super power and all, but I just wasn’t into being a part of your 20 million person free-for-all. You see, as a mid-western girl I place high value on...
Note: The following post is a guest post from my visitor Karolanne. It details her experiences with the various treatments we tried. I should begin by telling you that I’ve only had a couple ‘real’ massages in the States. They were nice but nothing compared to the...
Since it’s become obvious that I can’t stop time and prevent the one year mark from happening, I’ve decided that for today’s one Year Commemorative Post we’ll take a more positive slant instead and celebrate all the milestones that have happened in the last...
As many of you know, my friend Karolanne is in town for six days, following her two week tour of China. Given the short duration of her stay, we’ve been cramming in the fun double-time. We’ve already checked off haircuts, the 1st massage, eyebrows, a historical tour, the Mall...
but we’ll always have this FAB Shakira video to cherish. I swear, the way that woman moves her hips is mesmerizing… it should be illegal! Warning: You’ll find yourself singing strange African lyrics like ‘waka waka’ as you walk around your house later...
A week ago I couldn’t have even told you where Sri Lanka was (right off the Southeastern tip of India, by the way) but now I’m checking out flights there. Why, you ask? This beautiful picture! Doesn’t this look stunning?! Katie (of Rock Star in Dhaka) posted it on her...
Wow, big day for this girl. First ever Acupuncture treatment! Truly, I’ve been wanting to do this for years, but never had the courage. Maybe I was just being cheap too because now that I’m married to Sir Nicholas our kick-a** health plan covers 40 massages and 40 acupuncture...
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. These kids derive so much joy from the simplest things in life and it is so amazingly heart-warming! I just love being with them. Screw expensive toys – just give them a wood box and a few washers…… This week I...
I. Do. Not. Want. To. Be. A. Veteran. Expat. Zoom in on me kicking and screaming as I’m metaphorically pulled to the one year mark. “Noooooooo, we just got here! Am I really saying good-bye to my first batch of friends and sponsoring my first incoming Embassy employee?? How is...
As I wrote yesterday, Nick has been gone for the past five days on a work trip to the Southern part of the Philippines. During his visit he got to give a speech at a University, visit a prisoner, and do outreach for Americans living down in that area. Here are some pictures from his trip...
So, you all know that I’m a big fan of my husband and the time we spend together. But once and a while it just so happens that I’m on my own for a few days when he’s on a work trip. Now, I could easily choose a mopey, lonely perspective from which to while away the...
Dear Sam, I’m afraid I must let you know that your singing makes me weak. How can you be so talented and barely even able to legally drink? And just when I thought I’d heard your best song yet, you go and release one that’s even better. SIGH. Yup, this is my new fave...
Hey, remember that great video by the band OK Go where they’re dancing on the treadmills? Well, they’re at it again with another creative expression of their music (this time minus the treadmills). Enjoy!
Bohol has long been at the top of our list of “Favorite Places in the Philippines”. We love so many things about it: the undeveloped nature, the quality of the diving & snorkeling, the friendly people… the list goes on and on. The only thing we weren’t so hot...
I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days to allow my living to open me, To make me less afraid, more accessible, To loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; To...
Turned out to be a BIG party weekend for this girl. Felt like I was back in my early 20’s, not one month away from the big 3-0! Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I went out for both Friday AND Saturday (Does that mean I’m getting old or just pitiful?). I guess...
Hi Readers- I’m feeling very revealing this week, so here’s a big announcement that I’ve been hanging on to for awhile, waiting for the right moment to share it…. and I’ve decided today’s the day! Here goes: This update is in regards to my business...
In yesterday’s post I articulated my recent revelations about tithing and the HUGE 180 degree mental shift that happened for me when I embraced Edwene Gaines’ views on tithing. I felt it necessary to lay that foundation in order to give you both my ‘old’ and...
So a few weeks back my world got ROCKED when I stumbled upon a 4-part audio series by Edwene Gaines. She is the author of the book, The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity, a guide on creating true abundance in your life. I’m going to be honest, this post feels a bit more intimate...
Those of you who have known me a long time know that Sarah & Singing just plain go together. I think the best way to explain it to you would be that I have my own “Pandora” station that plays in my head (we’ll call it WSLN for simplicity sake). At any given time on...
Last Saturday I had the pleasure of presenting my first Corporate workshop. It was a DREAM gig because I a.) got flown to a resort in Malaysia to present and b.) spent four hours identifying core values and writing life purpose statements with the 50 participants. Doesn’t get any...
Just got back last night from four peaceful days in Cebu, the second largest city in the Philippines. Now I should clarify, we weren’t actually in the city, we stayed on Mactan Island, which is connected to the city via a bridge. The trip got off to a bit of a rough start...
It’s been a fun-filled 48 hours for Jenna in Manila. We didn’t waste any time jumping in, going directly from the airport to the American Women’s Club monthly shopper’s bazaar! She was such a trooper after her 30 hour transit time and I just kept assuring her that...
OMG, I nearly peed my pants when I learned that my favorite up-and-comer of the moment Sam Tsui is auditioning for GLEE’s open casting calls (that happens to be my favorite SHOW of the moment)!!! Seriously, it’s too good to be true. He’s a shoo-in, I swear (did you...
Nick recently started physical therapy for an old/back neck injury he got 10 years ago, so part of our Saturday routine now includes him going to therapy for 2-3 hours (for the unbelievable cost of $15!) I felt left out though, so I’ve started going to get massages each week while...
May 8th, 2010 was a day of mixed emotions in the Miller household. It was on that day that Jenna Miller (#4 in the line of great Miller gals) graduated from the College of Saint Benedict (CSB). While we are immensely proud of her double major in Psychology and Spanish, she leaves a...
Seriously, you know how much I love finding up and coming musical talent. This video was spreading like viral wildfire yesterday and after watching it ohhh, maybe 10 times, I decided it was necessary for you to see it too. Do make sure and give it about 30 seconds until he starts the...
Hi Blog Readers, I experienced a great life lesson this week that showed me that friendships can come in all shapes and sizes. This video is a great reminder to look past the “outer package” the friend comes in and see if you’re alike at the core. Because that’s...
Lots more where those came from at SMUGMUG!
Wow, we’re just gearing up to head out from 4 days in Paradise. Everyone told me that it would be sensational, and oh were they right! It was the finest sand I have ever stepped on – think powder sugar sand – and no one even bothers to wear shoes because seaweed and...
Note: This guest post is by Sarah J, who is staying with us right now. This is her second contribution to the blog! Maybe we’ll even get one more! On the list of things to try in life, swimming with dolphins has to make my top ten. As it was a Sunday morning when we departed for...
Our last two days have been pretty bi-polar. Friday was devoted to our first (of two) day trips. We were off to see Hidden Valley Springs, a stunning rain forest paradise a few hours from Manila. Both of us were excited, as the website said it was only 1.5 hours away (and this was a first...
This is a big day! The first-ever Guest Blog post from my current visitor and dear friend, Sarah Lynn Gasparick. I hope you enjoy the varied perspective. Today I got to join in the adventures at Friendship Home. Smiling faces at the door, giddy with anticipation for the afternoon of fun...
Sarah Jansen arrived in town late last night for her two-week visit! Of course, the first two things on our docket were a great new haircut and a 90 minute massage. Both were raving hits!
On Saturday Nick and I had the pleasure of accompanying 25 kids from Friendship Home to a local water park (along with a few other adults thankfully!). As I’ve mentioned before, these kind of experiences are rare for them. I took a poll and most of the kids had only been swimming 2...
One of my blog readers named Jessica arrived at post this week. We’re hoping to meet up for the first time in person once she and her family get settled in. In the meantime, she posted a few of her initial reactions to Manila that I thought you’d enjoy. I had forgotten the...
Life doesn’t get much better than spending an afternoon in the country with my new-found Carewell friends. And although the gathering was set up “just because,” there ended up being much to celebrate that day, including a cancer-free scan that had come back for one...
OMG, this is a great way to start your Monday!  Check out this remarkable video shot from a streetcar traveling down Market Street in San Francisco in 1905.  This was just one year before the earthquake/fire of 1906 destroyed the area.  It is way fascinating to see what turn of the...
For the last few years I’ve been hearing about these things called “TED” talks popping up in conversations and occasionally being circulated via Facebook and other social networking mediums. I’d watched a few of the videos and knew they were high quality, but had...
I’ve come to a very important realization in the last few weeks. Cold temps I can do, but extreme heat is an entirely different story. And I’m not talking the 90’s here people. Those were the good old days. I’m talking 100+, high humidity, sweat-in-your-cleavage-in...
I know that I have a tendency to over-hype things, but I tell you, this one merits the hype. You see, in the last few weeks, Nick and I have become totally and completely addicted to Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, a new U.S. show on ABC. What makes it so great is a combination of...
Zoom in on me, looking VERY CRABBY as I waited to board our boat to Sabtang Island. Here’s the back story…I woke up at 5:30 AM so that I could be ready to join the group at 6 AM to leave for our tour. We drive 30 minutes to the boat dock and proceed to sit there for another 45...