This is mind-blowing! I’ve never seen anything like it! Give it 30 seconds, you’ll be hooked…
Friends in India, have you seen this done live?
Sarah Novak
After a year of watching construction, we were delighted to see our building’s amenities finally open a few weeks ago. As you might expect, there is a nice-sized pool and a gym. But there were also a few surprises too, like a gaming room and dance studio that we can rent out for...
Each year Beloit College publishes a list that “provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall”. I found it really fascinating to get a peak into what these students ( born in 1992) view as their ‘normal’...
Forgive me, I’m feel like a little cheesy High School Musical today…
It was an exciting day at Friendship Home. We did a fun science project exploring thermodynamics by making ice cream from scratch using only ice and zip lock bags. While the entire process was fun, the kids and adults alike definitely enjoyed the end product. Do try this at home with your...
Went to the bank this morning to get some cash and stumbled upon something I’ve never seen before — a dog in shoes! Now clothes I had seen, but these shoes were a first. Not what I was expecting to find at the bank today! Good thing I had my camera on me because this little...
As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Nick and I took a trip down to San Pablo this weekend, both for a little R&R and to capitalize on potter Ugu Bigyan’s Birthday Sale (see previous post for more details). Although many pieces were already snatched up, I did manage to find...
When Friday evening rolled around this week, Nick and I looked at each other and agreed that we’d spent one too many weekend in Manila recently. We were already planning to make a drive down south on Saturday for a HUGE art sale, so we did some quick calling and found out that there...
This morning I had the pleasure of joining my friend Barb (and 2 other lovely ladies) for a shopping adventure at Divisoria (which is like Greenhills, only more chaotic). Our mission: To spend $150 on toys for kids at an orphanage in Afghanistan (who have none). Thankfully, we can make...
It’s that time of year again folks. The big social event of the year is just around the corner – The Annual Marine Corps Ball! Last year, as you may remember, I was forced to choose between getting a new chaise and having a gown designed for the ball. Thankfully, there are no...
I’ve long been a fan of these flash mob scenes that started popping up on Youtube a year or so ago. I think you’ll really enjoy this one in Grand Central Station when 200+ individuals froze at the exact same second and remained frozen in place for the next 5 minutes...
One of the fascinating things about living overseas is realizing the little things you’ve taken for granted for the majority of your life. Many of these realizations are fleeting and merely leave you with a deeper sense of gratitude. Others, like the one I experienced today, quite...
As most of you know, I am less than 30 days away from my visit to Minne-SOH-ta. My energy has been ramping up for weeks and I’ve found myself talking non-stop about all the things I’m excited to do there. In an attempt to share my joy with my Manila friends (and stop their...
A dose of Sam per day keeps the doctor away! :)
With nearly 1,000,000 hits on Youtube, Maggie and Lucas Thompson’s video “Minnesota Gurls” is a bonafide viral success. Nothing makes me happier than to see the next generation of St. Ben’s and St. John’s students displaying their pride for our beloved state...
If you’ll think back to mid-July we talked a bit about Getting Ready to Be Ready. The act of writing that post was very freeing in and of itself and I noticed an immediate shift in my resistance afterward. It seemed, in giving myself full permission to not be ready, that I actually...
WAHOO! I’m thrilled to announce the the INSANELY ADORABLE couple are finally making it official. Yup, that’s right. Emily Miller (#2 in the long line of Miller gals) will be tying the knot with Andrew Sullivan in summer of 2011! And where did they meet, you ask? Well, no other...
Due to my unwavering love of Sam Tsui, I’ve decided to start featuring a different song each Thursday until I run out of selections or get sick of him. Did you take your ‘Sam Break’ yet today?
I have the most heart-warming story to share with you today! Back in April you’ll remember that Nick and I accompanied the Friendship Home kids to the Water Park (CLICK HERE to read that post). We had an AMAZING time and I posted all sorts of pictures of the kids screaming with...
I am less than 40 days away from returning to my mother-land. In preparation of my month-long trip, I have begun making a list of all my ‘must-do’s’ while I’m home. Those of you who are keen observers will notice that a.) Many are related to food and b.) this trip...
Once upon a time a girl named Sarah went out on a second date with a boy named Nicholas (a rare occurrence indeed). When the boy named Nicholas arrived at Sarah’s door, he delighted her by gifting her a book called Life of Pi. Sarah was tickled pink – surely this boy could see...
Can’t think of a much better combo than this: Seize the Day from Newsies set to Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. It has a very old-school cool kind of feel to it… enjoy!
Our good friends Andrea and Brian gave me a very cool birthday gift this year – a $25 gift certificate for a loan to give out on Kiva.org, a micro-lending site. (Check out this post I wrote on it awhile back when I first found it.) For those not familiar, Kiva works with...
Greetings Blog Readers – I am THRILLED to unveil our new souped-up blog, NOVAKISTAN! I’ve been craving a fancy blog like this for quite some time and finally had the guts to go for it this weekend. After 20 hours of technical work and a major code recovery from technical...
The following is from DailyOm, a personal development site my friend Liz introduced me to that provides a daily dose of wisdom or inspiration. What amazes me is how succinctly the authors can write and how spot-on the message often is for what I’m going through. Here’s the one...
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…
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...