long overdue.

I know it has been forever since I last posted, and I will do my best to fill you in on what I have been doing that has kept me from here... basically, a lot. Between a visit from my mom and work and a little bit of play and a few little colds that have had me restless at night, I feel like an energizer bunny.... without the energy. Is that even possible? I keep going and going and going... but I.... am..... so.... tired.

I won't complain, because I much prefer hitting the bed hard and having it feel like a little piece of Heaven than laying there awake at night - not tired at all. It has also been a wonderful change of pace to be very busy and constantly on the move.

I will begin to do a little backtracking to catch everyone up on what I've been doing. I will start with what is freshest in my mind (what I did this weekend), and then tomorrow I will share pictures of the wonderful time I spent with my mom.

This past weekend was a really wonderful one for me, because for the first time in a really long time, I was able to spend time with my guy. Friday night we made and enjoyed a delicious pancake dinner - something we both really love. I made a pile of delicious vegan pancakes and hot fruit syrup and then filled the table with our favorite toppings - shredded coconut, banana, Nutella, chocolate chips, all natural maple syrup (the real stuff), and powdered sugar. I used our wonderful new gift from my mother (more on that to come) and made a delicious cappuccino, topped with cinnamon and steamed chocolate milk for my guy. Mmmm Mmm good!

Last night I joined my guy and his family in going to my first Moroccan wedding and had the chance to wear a beautiful caftan. The wedding was so colorful and cheerful. The bride changed her dress more than 5 times to symbolize the fashion and culture in different parts of Morocco. It was a wonderful occasion.

The serving of the food was very different than any wedding I have ever been to so that part amused me a bit (we also ate around 11pm). The salad came out first and the servers walked to the front of the room in a line and stood in a row and opened the lids of the massive plates to display the salad for all to see and then began placing these enormous plates at the center of each table. We each took from the plate what we wanted and were even able to go back for seconds! The salad had a wide variety of veggies ranging from Moroccan olives to tomatoes to heart of palm to bamboo (and everything in between). It was very good.

After the salad, the waiters brought a few small plates to each table - some containing zaalouk and the others containing some sort of tangy, Moroccan carrot appetizer (which I will need the recipe for). After which they again marched to the front to display the main course - a heaping helping of meat. I didn't think of photographing this until it was devoured, but you couldn't even begin to imagine how much meat was being served at this wedding reception at one time. Each HUGE plate at the center of about 40-50 tables (maybe more) had an entire animal (I swear haha) on it. Everyone started taking their knives and forks and searching for the meat of their choice. I got a kick out of this. Survival 101: Don't mess with these carnivores when their native food is in front of them. I'm kidding! They actually follow the rule of always serving others before serving yourself. They each kept handing each other more meat (often with their hands) until the receiver would finally cry mercy and say, "Seriously, I'm good."

It should be noted that at the sight of this huge plate of meat, I did gasp a little. I had never seen so much meat on one plate. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a serving dish so big. His mother right away took action and said that I didn't eat meat and they began cooking a chicken for me! I had to wait to eat until everyone was finished but my chicken was worth the wait. Even for a 90% of the time Vegan / 7% of the time Vegetarian who doesn't really enjoy meat / the 3% chicken eater in me (who usually does this just to please people) actually really enjoyed the chicken. Half was dark meat which I did not eat but the other half was juicy white meat and the sauce was SOOOO good. It was some sort of mixture of cinnamon and spices and reminded me so much of fall. It's good that my new French family has opened my eyes to trying new things! And, equally as good that they don't pressure me to eat red meat.

After the meal came bowls of fruit followed by coffee and hours later followed by Moroccan cookies and cakes and mint tea. We danced until almost 3am but we were all getting pretty delirious from fatigue. We left the party then but I am sure, as per usual with these kind of events, that the party lasted for at least a few more hours after that. I have read and heard that sometimes these events last until 6 or 8am when breakfast is served!!!

 Here are some pictures:

Finally, to cap off the weekend, today was a holiday.  My guy's brother went to kill a sheep as is tradition. 3 of his 5 brothers and sisters and 5 of his 9 nieces and nephews all gathered tonight for this celebration eating more traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Now, it's time to make myself another cappuccino and relax!

La vita è bella!

My guy has been working on a project at work that has consumed his life. It has caused me a bit of heartache as I find myself doing everything alone. I eat by myself - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I spend my days entertaining myself. I'm literally always alone. The thing about being alone all the time is it affords you too much time to think and sometimes thinking too much isn't a good thing. Sometimes my thoughts become my arch nemesis. So going on a little trip to be with a huge family was just what I needed this weekend, and it's just what I did.

When my guy's sister called me Thursday night to invite me to her house for the weekend, I was excited for the chance to be around people. I was excited to see the wife of my guy's oldest brother whom I haven't seen since arriving in France. I was excited to see all the little nieces and nephews. I was excited to talk to adults. I was excited to showcase my newly acquired French skills!

We departed early Saturday afternoon in what was sure to be an adventure. My love's middle brother rented an 8 passenger Mercedes van. When it pulled up to pick me up, I had to laugh. In it were his parents, his sister, his sister's husband, their 2 babies (one born last month and the other who turned 1 last month - both who were absolutely amazing for the long ride), the middle brother, and myself. I got to sit shot gun! His brother and sister asked me about my family and about home, we talked about television shows that were famous in France and did I know them. His brother was excited to ask me if I knew Baracuda which made me laugh. It was a great chance for me to improve my French and to bond with my new family. The only thing missing was my love who was, of course, working.

The reason for us all traveling to his sister's was because she bought a new house. We were all meeting there to celebrate her new home and the birth of the baby. It is Islamic tradition to kill a goat when a baby is born. They brought the goat back for a big BBQ. What better place to have a big family gathering than at her new home!

Upon arriving at his sister's house, I was in shock. She had sent me pictures of the house they'd purchased and it was... in need of repair. Repair it they did! Seriously, it should have been taped for a flip that house kind of show. The transformation was 360. The original house was unrecognizable. No details were missed. From the modern kitchen to the beautiful furniture from the amazing collection at French furniture manufacturer Collinet to the big terrace to the dreamy little girls' rooms to the bathroom with the big tub, I was seriously in awe. The house was so beautiful and as I told them so, they were so modest. I kept looking from the originals pictures on my iPhone to the house in live form. Wow!

before

after

before

after

So once I got the full tour, I set out to mingle with the family. My love grew up very differently than I did. I have one sister. He has 3 sisters and 2 brothers. I'm the youngest of 2. He's the youngest of 6. My sister is 18 month older than me. His oldest sister is 15 years older than him. In addition to his brother's and sister's, he has 2 nephews and 6 nieces. He has 3 brother-in-laws and a sister-in-law. His whole family speaks French and Arabic. They make me laugh trying to speak English. I find it to be very cute. His one sister speaks very well. He wasn't there to translate for me this weekend so I was forced to speak French which was perfect for me!

We ate delicious BBQ ranging from chicken to sausage to goat, shrimp cocktail, ratatouille, tabbouleh, salad, cakes, and bread. We drank Moroccan mint tea and tons of espresso. The weather was amazing. Everyone was in good spirits. I just can't stress enough what a warm, loving, and fun weekend it was. I loved watching the family dynamic - the guys joking with each other and sharing stories, the little girls playing, the 3 year old boy proudly fastening the Velcro on his sandals, the ladies coming with their hands wide open as their mother shared with them the goodies she brought from Morocco - olive oil, almonds, peanuts, honey, etc. She assured me that I, too, would share in this one day. With that being said, I got to leave with good memories and a hint of excitement for what the future has to bring.

view from the terrace

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!

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.