How to Raise Your CQ
Jan 20, 2020 12:24:19 PM Sarah Rymer Life, Living Overseas, Relationships, Tips, Learning, Culture, Multiple Locations
Although we’re already halfway through the month of January, you may still be thinking about your goals for 2020 and for this new decade. Hopefully, you’ve not already given up on your New Year’s resolutions! As you think about the changes you’d like to make, maybe you are focused on the usual: losing weight, getting more exercise, or spending less time on ...
Bag of Photographs
Jan 7, 2020 10:53:16 AM Sarah Rymer IDEAS projects, interesting people, Life, Lebanon, Hospitality, Culture, community
Delicately my friend sets a well-used plastic shopping bag in front of us on the floor. We’ve been sitting for a while on a piece of folded old carpet and drinking strong tea out of miniature glasses. The plastic bag is stuffed with old photographs.
Celebrating Christmas Far from Home
Dec 23, 2019 1:43:27 PM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Life, Living Overseas, Tips, Learning, Culture, community
Spending Christmas far from home, away from friends and family can be hard. And it can feel a bit surreal celebrating Christmas in a country where it’s not an official holiday. Yet, this distance means that unexpected signs of Christmas turn into precious gifts. Some of my favorite Christmas memories come from living abroad.
...
Reflections on My First Year Living Overseas
Dec 9, 2019 12:08:47 PM Sarah Rymer Bangladesh, Children, Families, Life, Living Overseas, Love, Culture, community
It’s official! We’ve reached the one-year mark. One year ago, my husband, our three young kids, and I – along with 13 suitcases of everything we owned – boarded a plane and moved to South Asia, where we’ve lived, worked, and learned for 12 months now. As I reflect upon taking this giant leap of faith this time last year, I find myself stuck in a world of ...
Thank You from Around the World
Dec 2, 2019 12:44:50 PM Sarah Rymer Hope, IDEAS projects, Life, community, Transformation, Multiple Locations
Hope is transforming communities around the world! 15,000+ marginalized people are receiving healthcare, clean water, better farming techniques, quality education, & life skills through IDEAS projects. Thank you from those whose hope is being restored worldwide through these projects. . .
...
The Selfless Love of a Refugee Boy
Nov 25, 2019 11:55:47 AM Sarah Rymer IDEAS projects, interesting people, Life, Lebanon, Hospitality, Culture, community
Wearily, his mom leaves the family’s one-room home at the bottom of the apartment building to walk to the store. Her preteen son quietly sneaks out the door and peeks around the building corner to make sure that his mother is not turning back for something she forgot. He already knows that his father is away.
10 Benefits of Gratitude
Nov 18, 2019 11:20:54 AM Sarah Rymer Healthcare & Wellness, Hope, Life, Tips
Gratitude is appreciated in any language and culture. Gratitude benefits everyone - the giver and the receiver. Studies show that those who regularly practice gratitude have dozens of mental and physical benefits, including. . .
How Forbidden Cake Empowered Me
Nov 11, 2019 3:13:51 PM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Education, IDEAS projects, Life, Living Overseas, Learning, Culture
Culture Shock in the Parking Lot
Oct 14, 2019 11:28:58 AM Sarah Rymer interesting people, Life, Living Overseas, Lebanon, Culture, Transformation
Lebanon is a small country, and I used to live on the outskirts of Beirut, which is overpopulated. People were friendly and curious about others, especially when their new neighbor was the only Asian-American in that area.
How to Talk Expat
Sep 16, 2019 11:51:45 AM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Life, Living Overseas, Tips, Learning, Culture, community
Recently I realized I’ve learned another language. No, not Turkish, French, or Arabic, although I’ve learned each of those to varying degrees of proficiency. I guess it’s not actually another language I’m learning, but a dialect I call Expat.