Hi All- One of my favorite annual traditions is to reflect on the year I’m finishing and set some intentions for the year ahead. This year I happened to stumble across a really great tool...
Inspiration
I know we’re new to this Foreign Service thing, but I have a hard time imagining that we’re going to find household staff in other countries that love and care for us as warmly as Norma...
I jumped out of bed this morning, eager to get online and see what replies had come in response to my first foray at putting myself out there as a cancer coach on some public forums. Â I had spent a...
Hi All- One of my favorite annual traditions is to reflect on the year I’m finishing and set some intentions for the year ahead.  This year I happened to stumble across a really great tool that is...
Love, love, loving this story about the power of social media when used for good. This man had been a road-side beggar for a year in Columbus, Ohio when this youtube clip went viral, generating...
In accepting this cancer work, I knew that facing loss was part of the deal . . . although part of me was hoping I wouldn’t have to deal with it so soon. Â Sadly, I lost my first cancer client...
I think one of the coolest ‘take aways’ from our time in Manila is an honest-to-goodness appreciation of the concept LESS IS MORE. Â Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve known that...
OK – I’ve had change of heart and am switching my 2011 theme song to “No Day but Today” from RENT, also sung by the fabulous Idina Menzel. While I love “Defying...
It’s been a long wait for a new release but this remake of John Lennon’s “Imagine” was worth it. I think you’ll enjoy this beautiful tribute to the victims of the...
Two weeks ago my dear client (and friend)Â Magne died of cancer. Â She was only in her early 50’s, so her death left many young children and grand-children behind. Â I knew it was important for...
This Monday morning inspiration is dedicated to all the AMAZING women in my life who ROCK MY WORLD on a daily basis! XOXO, Sarah
I was first introduced to the concept of FLOW during my Master’s program while taking a class on Creativity. Â We were asked to read Mihaly Csikszentmihaly’s book Creativity: Flow and the...
Got really nostalgic watching this love fest about my beloved Minneapolis/St. Paul (although may I just say that it doesn’t look like any of it was filmed in St. Paul). Makes me excited...
Am stuck in bed with my umpteenth attack of the “Manila Crud” (will NOT MISS that aspect of living in Manila – pollution really impacts your health!) Doing everything I can to...
Sam Tsui hasn’t been posting much so I was delighted to see this brand new original come through. Too bad he has to be a student too… :) Hope you enjoy it!
If you’ve been following me on the blog or Facebook lately, you’ll know that I’ve been very vocal about my top goal for 2011 which is (Drumroll, please….) TO HAVE A BABY...
Dearest blog readers – This story is way too heartwarming NOT to pass along. Allow me to introduce you to Maria Aragon, YouTube’s newest singing sensation. Her version of Lady...
Last Saturday I had the privilege of having an impromptu photo shoot with these lovely little girls who were playing in Fort Santiago.  The photos were simply stunning and as I was uploading them...
Awhile back I wrote about Chris Medina, whose story I fell in love with on Idol Season 10. I was instantly captivated by the unconditional love that radiates from him and the message he so...
A couple weeks ago, I shared the touching story of Maria Aragon, a 10 year old girl who caught Lady Gaga’s eye with her down-tempo version of Gaga’s new single Born That Way...
Hilarious, helpful tutorial on the “Filipino Accent.” No lie, I run into comprehension problems on a daily basis … now I can decode better!
Good morning all! I have a DELICIOUS treat in store for you today. . . The 25th Anniversary of the musical Les Miserables was celebrated in London this past December. Not only did this...
If you remember back just 3 short weeks ago, Baby Novak was a 1/4 inch, lentil-sized blob with a little flicker of a heartbeat in the middle. Â Fast forward 3 weeks and we’ve got a 1 inch...
Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about ABC’s new show Secret Millionaire. Â I first heard about the show through my coaching network, as several of the Millionaires are...
This is a nice combo: Favorite Song of the Moment + Favorite Up-And-Coming-Singer. Â Sam Tsui hasn’t been releasing much lately, so I was glad to see this one come through. Â Pretty sure...
I don’t know about you, but I get such a kick out of OK Go’s music videos. Â They always have such a fresh, creative element in them. Â This one is no different, featuring the Notre Dame...
I’m well aware that I owe you a MAJOR apology for not posting for the last week. Â It’s just that I’ve been so damn tired and I had to go on Medevac to Singapore for 3 days (more on...
Happy Easter to all my friends and family around the world!! Â Please enjoy one of my favorite Easter songs of all time: Glad’s The Easter Song.
Baby Novak’s Brain! (a top view) As you all know, I’m quite impatient in general, so this whole baby gender thing has been on my mind since we found out we were pregnant 11 weeks ago...
A Joint Labor of Love One of Nick’s many roles in Manila is President of the US Embassy Club (USEC). Â USEC is the charitable arm of US Embassy – Manila that supports 13 local...
Me and heart-touching stories go together like peanut butter and jelly. Â Suffice to say, this is one of the most remarkable I’ve come across in some time… Please allow me to introduce...
I’m less than 3 weeks from returning to my beloved homeland and man oh man is . . . MINNESOTA ON MY MIND! Â Bring on the cabin and Caribou and changing temps and State Fair and lawn games and...
24 years my senior, I never expected for Marisa and I to become so close. Â I originally met Marisa during my volunteer work at Carewell. Â She was a frequent attendee and ended up...
I know I haven’t written much about my favorite up-and-coming-singer Sam Tsui lately and that’s mainly because he’s been busy finishing up his Senior Year at Yale (which...
Miller Sisters at the Groom’s Dinner. L to R: Beth (3rd), Emily (2nd), Jenna (4th), Sarah (1st) It was a big weekend in the Miller Household. Â Emily Miller (second oldest) married her...
One of the best pregnancy benefits I’ve experienced thus far has been an increased awareness of my body. Â I think this occurs naturally for most pregnant women, but to varying degrees...
As I wrote yesterday, I’ve had a fascinating time tuning into my body over the course of this pregnancy. Â I’ve realized that my physical body is just another way that I receive messages...
Ummm, this may be the coolest thing I’ve seen in a month. Seriously, I dare you to watch this and not smile, giggle, or feel the need to jive a bit. Check out this brilliant Danish...
FINALLY, a new cover from Sam. Hope you enjoy his version of Adele’s Rolling In the Deep! Happy Monday!
It started out as one of those normal Thursday mornings. Â I woke up, got dressed and headed out for my short walk to Caribou Coffee to get my morning mocha. Â There was however one fun small change...
As we’ve been preparing our household to welcome Baby Nia, I’ve noticed that my old money fears are popping up like mad (as they often do during transition periods). Â Thankfully, this...
Here’s an insanely catchy tune by Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas that’s garnered over 7 million hits on Youtube. Â Check it out for yourself, it’s sure to brighten your day! Â In...
One of the biggest things that has surprised me about Motherhood is how draining simple things like diapering, feeding and rocking can be. Â None of them requires much brainpower, but the energy...
Just wanted to share one of my favorite holiday songs with you to celebrate. Â It’s not very well-known, so perhaps you’ll love it so much that you’ll have to add it to your...
Much like Christmas, our New Year’s Celebration had a bit of a different feel to it this year. Â The biggest difference would be that it all took place on New Year’s Eve DAY since we knew...
When we’re in the States, it’s easy to get lulled into the familiar routine and forget that we’re heading back overseas soon. Â By the time we leave in May, I’ll have been...
Every year I choose a theme song to help keep me focused on what I want the year to bring. Â However, the problem with this year is that I feel so unfocused that I can’t even select a theme...
Yowzers, what a week! Â I just got back from a mind-blowing 6 day Leadership Retreat in beautiful (and rainy!) Sonoma, California. Â The course was an advanced Leadership Program put on by my...
Love the contrast in this video: The lyrics tell the story of suffering and separation while the ensemble models collaboration and connection. Â No wonder it’s been watched over 42 million...
No lie, this African-inspired version of Coldplay’s Paradise by the Piano Guys is hypnotically entrancing. Â I hope you delight in it as much as I did. Â It’s hard not to feel your spirit...