Today is the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death. It is no secret to my friends and family that I love The Beatles... and John Lennon is my favorite. I love his songs about love and his feelings about peace. I love that he was willing to have a voice and stand up for what he knew was right. John Lennon was a peacemaker, a lover, an artist, a friend, a father, and a spiritual person. Today, I salute you, Mr. Lennon.
And, it has me thinking about one of my favorite John Lennon songs - all you need is love.
This past year, I had the pleasure of meeting someone that I love and respect. It's not until you find someone that you truly love when you can listen to these song lyrics and really know what these artists were thinking and feeling. I truly believe it to be true... all you need is love. Finding someone that you love, that believes in you, that stands by your side through it all, someone you can laugh and cry with, someone you can confide in, someone that listens to you, someone that you want to listen to (the sexy accent is an added bonus), someone that motivates you, someone that you'll never get tired of looking at, someone that you don't mind being next to for hours on end even when you're doing nothing at all... someone that has you truly convinced that the sun shines out his ass... well, that is really rare. How did I get so lucky?
When I look back on flings I had in high school and college and boys I spent nights crying over, I wonder, what for? I have wasted too much time in my life sweating the small stuff and crying over spilled milk... I don't want to waste another moment. I realized recently that there is no reason to ever go to bed angry or sad. That's how I want to live the rest of my life. I want my love to be by my side. I want to smile every morning. I want to smile every night. And, I want my love to do the same. I want to be a better me so that I can be better to the people that love me.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Do something FABulous this holiday season!
I am writing to you now in need of a favor.
I have been working throughout the past year on all the steps required to start a non-profit organization. You would think that the government would make it a bit easier (and more affordable) to try to do something good, however we have jumped over most of the hurdles and we're up and running (YAY!).
My organization is called Friends Across Borders (FAB). Our mission is partnering schools in the United States with schools in Morocco to raise awareness while creating an awesome educational experience through incorporating this organization into their geography classes, writing curriculum, etc. The benefit to the schools that will partner with us in the United States is that the students will develop friendships through letter writing, e-mailing, and using other forms of social media. The benefit to the schools in Morocco we have partnered with is that we will be raising money all the while.
kaylanreabold@gmail.com if you would like to donate, more information, etc.
My goals for the upcoming months are to arrange a 5k, sell donated snacks at local sporting events, to get more schools involved and to brainstorm with the children about some other fundraising ideas. In the school district I work in, we'll be starting a recycling program. I will partner with a student group here. I will then take all of the bottles across the border to NY where we get 5 cents on each bottle we deposit!
Of course, I would love for you all to help me find schools to partner us with, but mostly, I would like to ask you to make a donation. Our bank account is at Chase Bank. You can write a check to Friends Across Borders. I will then give you a receipt with our tax ID number so you can write it off. Please keep in mind that $15 is enough for 1 student to have a year's worth of education and transportation in this particular region of Morocco. If you donate $15, you're supporting 1 child, $30 is 2 children, $100 is enough to support almost 7 children, $1000 is enough to support almost 67 children (!!!) and so on - you get the point.
The children in this region walk 5 miles to school (each way - so 10 miles a day). They do not have bikes or buses. Many do not have shoes. They do not have books, notebooks, or writing utensils when they arrive. They don't have proper classrooms or desks. Many times they are learning by sitting on the floor. Together we can make a huge difference. Doesn't that feel good?
This project is so close to my heart as my boyfriend's family is from this region. He started this project in France and now we are working to have an even bigger impact than his organization in France. Shouldn't we prove to those Frenchmen that we have bigger hearts!? Shouldn't we let it be known that we care about education? We are in contact with the Moroccan government and the media there. Upon our arrival with the money we will be bringing to them, this will be televised. We will have t-shirts with the names of the people that donated. This is a great way, if you know anyone that owns a company, to get notoriety for being so generous.
Please, during this holiday season, take a few moments to write a check to a great organization. We desperately need money to get over there and get these students the items they need.
I cannot express to you enough how much this would mean to me and to the children of the region of Azilal. Please reach out to me at
Thank you!
I have been working throughout the past year on all the steps required to start a non-profit organization. You would think that the government would make it a bit easier (and more affordable) to try to do something good, however we have jumped over most of the hurdles and we're up and running (YAY!).
My organization is called Friends Across Borders (FAB). Our mission is partnering schools in the United States with schools in Morocco to raise awareness while creating an awesome educational experience through incorporating this organization into their geography classes, writing curriculum, etc. The benefit to the schools that will partner with us in the United States is that the students will develop friendships through letter writing, e-mailing, and using other forms of social media. The benefit to the schools in Morocco we have partnered with is that we will be raising money all the while.
kaylanreabold@gmail.com if you would like to donate, more information, etc.
My goals for the upcoming months are to arrange a 5k, sell donated snacks at local sporting events, to get more schools involved and to brainstorm with the children about some other fundraising ideas. In the school district I work in, we'll be starting a recycling program. I will partner with a student group here. I will then take all of the bottles across the border to NY where we get 5 cents on each bottle we deposit!
Of course, I would love for you all to help me find schools to partner us with, but mostly, I would like to ask you to make a donation. Our bank account is at Chase Bank. You can write a check to Friends Across Borders. I will then give you a receipt with our tax ID number so you can write it off. Please keep in mind that $15 is enough for 1 student to have a year's worth of education and transportation in this particular region of Morocco. If you donate $15, you're supporting 1 child, $30 is 2 children, $100 is enough to support almost 7 children, $1000 is enough to support almost 67 children (!!!) and so on - you get the point.
The children in this region walk 5 miles to school (each way - so 10 miles a day). They do not have bikes or buses. Many do not have shoes. They do not have books, notebooks, or writing utensils when they arrive. They don't have proper classrooms or desks. Many times they are learning by sitting on the floor. Together we can make a huge difference. Doesn't that feel good?
This project is so close to my heart as my boyfriend's family is from this region. He started this project in France and now we are working to have an even bigger impact than his organization in France. Shouldn't we prove to those Frenchmen that we have bigger hearts!? Shouldn't we let it be known that we care about education? We are in contact with the Moroccan government and the media there. Upon our arrival with the money we will be bringing to them, this will be televised. We will have t-shirts with the names of the people that donated. This is a great way, if you know anyone that owns a company, to get notoriety for being so generous.
Please, during this holiday season, take a few moments to write a check to a great organization. We desperately need money to get over there and get these students the items they need.
I cannot express to you enough how much this would mean to me and to the children of the region of Azilal. Please reach out to me at
Thank you!
My little movie review.
::127 Hours::
I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. I guess I missed all the news headlines about this real life event happening. The night before my love and I went to see 127 Hours, my father (thinking I knew the story) decided to tell me about the something completely disturbing that happens in the movie. Wellllllll, I won't say it here because then I will ruin it for you like he did for me! However, all I can say is that the whole movie I was sitting there wondering... when is THAT going to happen!? Nonetheless, the movie really kept my attention. I was curious if the director would be able to keep my attention for 127 Hours worth of being trapped - and he did. Kudos to the genius behind Slumdog Millionaire, A.R.Rahman. The movie was truly magnificent. It doesn't hurt that James Franco is positively dreamy. This movie also really made my love and I want to be a little more outdoorsy!!
::Love and Other Drugs::
Okay, so anyone that knows me knows that I am a big cry baby. I admit that without shame. Just like any movie, I was in tears after minutes. I don't even think it was that sad, but love is just so precious to me and I am a sucker for a love story. This movie is inspiring, happy, sad, fulllllllll of naked bodies (Jake G's ass is worth the $11), and well, overall one of those feel good movies. I left there wanting to be a better girlfriend. I feel like I am so lucky that my love and I are happy and healthy and we should be more grateful to have each other and be better about telling/showing each other that!
::All Good Things::
One word. Creepy. This movie was really good. I love Kirsten Dunst and was happy to see her in a movie since it's been a while. And, who doesn't love Ryan Gosling after The Notebook (we give him a pass on Lars and the Real Girl)? Anyway, Kirsten plays the role of Kathie Durst, the wife of a wealthy real estate heir in NYC. They meet, fall madly in love, and then the truth starts to unravel about her husband, Robert Durst's past psychological issues. If the movie was portraying the truth, then creepy is all I can say because it seems pretty obvious that Robert Durst killed his wife. The case remains unsolved and he is a free man, living in Florida today.
::The Next Three Days::
My love and I went to see this movie at our favorite theatre on 2nd Ave. on Saturday. This movie was full of suspense and once again had me crying. It is fiction but still had me afterward replaying all the possible scenarios. It is the story of a woman who is falsely charged with murder and sentenced to life in jail. Her husband all but goes absolutely nuts doing whatever it takes to get her out of jail. It was soooo good!
::Tiny Furniture::
Last night, my friend Holley and I went to see Tiny Furniture. It was a quirky, Indie film about a girl discovering herself after having just graduated college. She moves back in with her artist mother and arrogant sister and is dealing with the trials and tribulations of living at home, living in NYC, looking for love, etc. It was a cute movie but more than a little odd.
I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. I guess I missed all the news headlines about this real life event happening. The night before my love and I went to see 127 Hours, my father (thinking I knew the story) decided to tell me about the something completely disturbing that happens in the movie. Wellllllll, I won't say it here because then I will ruin it for you like he did for me! However, all I can say is that the whole movie I was sitting there wondering... when is THAT going to happen!? Nonetheless, the movie really kept my attention. I was curious if the director would be able to keep my attention for 127 Hours worth of being trapped - and he did. Kudos to the genius behind Slumdog Millionaire, A.R.Rahman. The movie was truly magnificent. It doesn't hurt that James Franco is positively dreamy. This movie also really made my love and I want to be a little more outdoorsy!!
::Love and Other Drugs::
Okay, so anyone that knows me knows that I am a big cry baby. I admit that without shame. Just like any movie, I was in tears after minutes. I don't even think it was that sad, but love is just so precious to me and I am a sucker for a love story. This movie is inspiring, happy, sad, fulllllllll of naked bodies (Jake G's ass is worth the $11), and well, overall one of those feel good movies. I left there wanting to be a better girlfriend. I feel like I am so lucky that my love and I are happy and healthy and we should be more grateful to have each other and be better about telling/showing each other that!
::All Good Things::
One word. Creepy. This movie was really good. I love Kirsten Dunst and was happy to see her in a movie since it's been a while. And, who doesn't love Ryan Gosling after The Notebook (we give him a pass on Lars and the Real Girl)? Anyway, Kirsten plays the role of Kathie Durst, the wife of a wealthy real estate heir in NYC. They meet, fall madly in love, and then the truth starts to unravel about her husband, Robert Durst's past psychological issues. If the movie was portraying the truth, then creepy is all I can say because it seems pretty obvious that Robert Durst killed his wife. The case remains unsolved and he is a free man, living in Florida today.
::The Next Three Days::
My love and I went to see this movie at our favorite theatre on 2nd Ave. on Saturday. This movie was full of suspense and once again had me crying. It is fiction but still had me afterward replaying all the possible scenarios. It is the story of a woman who is falsely charged with murder and sentenced to life in jail. Her husband all but goes absolutely nuts doing whatever it takes to get her out of jail. It was soooo good!
::Tiny Furniture::
Last night, my friend Holley and I went to see Tiny Furniture. It was a quirky, Indie film about a girl discovering herself after having just graduated college. She moves back in with her artist mother and arrogant sister and is dealing with the trials and tribulations of living at home, living in NYC, looking for love, etc. It was a cute movie but more than a little odd.
Lately.
I have neglected to blog lately because I've been so busy! It's no excuse and I promise I will be a better blogger from this day forward. With that being said, I'll fill you in on what I've been doing lately.
Lately, I....
*started a new job in a new place
*moved back home with the parents
*have been apartment hunting online and around the NYC area like crazy
*saw a few great movies (see the next post)
*spent Thanksgiving weekend with my love, my parents, and my favorite aunt, Bonnie
*contacted a few old friends and made plans for dinner and such now that I'm back home in Toms River
*Christmas shopped
*received an early birthday present from my parents - Wii!!!!! :)
*walked around the shops in Bryant Park and postponed my plans to go ice skating at Rockefeller Center because of the insane line... maybe this week?
*started to really feel like an adult and realized I need to find some more direction in my life so I can be blissfully happy... suggestions?
*realized I need to get my butt in gear and start fundraising for Friends Across Borders - please let me know if you'd like to donate ($15 is enough money to send 1 child in Morocco to school for a year, including transportation and we have a tax ID number now so you can write it off!!) **contact me at kaylanreabold@gmail.com
*also realized I need to get on a work out routine which means eliminating my exhausting commute!
*have vowed to be a better girlfriend, a better daughter, a better niece, a better cousin, a better friend, even a better sister! Whatever it takes.
Lately, I....
*started a new job in a new place
*moved back home with the parents
*have been apartment hunting online and around the NYC area like crazy
*saw a few great movies (see the next post)
*spent Thanksgiving weekend with my love, my parents, and my favorite aunt, Bonnie
*contacted a few old friends and made plans for dinner and such now that I'm back home in Toms River
*Christmas shopped
*received an early birthday present from my parents - Wii!!!!! :)
*walked around the shops in Bryant Park and postponed my plans to go ice skating at Rockefeller Center because of the insane line... maybe this week?
*started to really feel like an adult and realized I need to find some more direction in my life so I can be blissfully happy... suggestions?
*realized I need to get my butt in gear and start fundraising for Friends Across Borders - please let me know if you'd like to donate ($15 is enough money to send 1 child in Morocco to school for a year, including transportation and we have a tax ID number now so you can write it off!!) **contact me at kaylanreabold@gmail.com
*also realized I need to get on a work out routine which means eliminating my exhausting commute!
*have vowed to be a better girlfriend, a better daughter, a better niece, a better cousin, a better friend, even a better sister! Whatever it takes.
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