August has been one of those months that perfectly captures what summer should be about – adventures with friends, personal milestones, and exciting new possibilities on the horizon.

🏝️ Island Adventure: PEI with The Negronis

We had an amazing overnight trip to Prince Edward Island with our friend group we call “The Negronis” (yes, named after that crazy shot that first bonded them together!). This intimate circle of friends welcomed Alaine and myswelf when I first arrived in Moncton, and they’ve been such an important part of our journey here.

Our itinerary took us from Singing Sands to Cavendish Beach, and we wrapped up at the Green Gables Heritage Center. I’ll be honest, I knew absolutely nothing about Anne of Green Gables going in, but watching Alaine light up with excitement made it the absolute highlight of the trip for me. There’s something special about seeing someone you love discover something that brings them pure joy.

🏥 Health & Giving Back Update

Quick health update: I’m fully healed! The foot is doing great! I’ve even been able to get back to jogging.

I had to briefly pause my weekly blood plasma donations due to the painkillers I was taking, but I’m back to my regular schedule now. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but I started donating plasma early this year. It’s my way of giving back.

I was actually a recipient of platelet donations back in 2010 when I had dengue in the Philippines and was in critical condition. I’m so grateful for the friends who donated then, and this feels like my chance to pay it forward. The honorarium is a nice bonus, but really, it’s about being able to help someone else the way others helped me.

⛳ Golf Milestone: We Did It!

The big news – Alaine and I finally played actual golf! Yes, it was a Par 3 course, but that absolutely counts in my book. We were both pretty terrible at it, but we both had a blast. That’s what matters, right?

We’re planning to stick with Par 3 courses for now and level up next season. It’s so rewarding to find an activity we can enjoy together, especially one that’s easy on these aging joints!

🚒 Big Decision on the Horizon

Here’s something that has me genuinely excited: Alaine and I attended an information session with the Riverview Volunteer Firefighter Association. I’ve been thinking about ways to volunteer and give back to our community, and when I heard about this opportunity, something just clicked.

Alaine has been incredibly encouraging about the idea, which means the world to me. But I’m taking time to really think it through and discern carefully. This is a significant commitment, especially the time requirements. It’s not a decision to make lightly, but I can’t shake how excited I felt walking out of that information session.

🎬 Content Updates

The Immigrant Chronicles has been a bit slower this summer. I’ve released a couple of episodes, but honestly, things have been busy with all these adventures! The solo format is getting decent response, though I’m considering moving to pre-recorded sessions to make the process more sustainable.

Sometimes life gets in the way of content creation, and I’m learning to be okay with that. The experiences often matter more than documenting them, you know?

🌞 How’s Your Summer Going?

Speaking of summers. How has yours been so far? Are you making the most of these last few weeks before fall kicks in? I’d love to hear what adventures, discoveries, or quiet moments have made this season special for you.

Whether it’s travel, new hobbies, time with loved ones, or just enjoying the simple pleasures of longer days – drop me a line and let me know what’s been highlighting your summer!

🎯 Looking Ahead

September is going to bring some interesting decisions, especially around the volunteer firefighter opportunity. I’m excited about the possibility but want to make sure I’m approaching it with the right mindset and realistic expectations about what I can commit to.

As always, if you’re enjoying following along with these updates and adventures, I’d be grateful if you’d check out my Coach Rye YouTube channel. Your support really does make a difference in helping me reach more people with these stories and insights.

Thanks for being part of this journey with me. Every month brings new surprises, and having you along for the ride makes it even more meaningful.

More power to you,

Coach Rye

P.S. Seriously, tell me about your summer! I read every comment and your stories often inspire more content than you know. Plus, I’m genuinely curious about how you’re all doing! 🌞