xox, b

Help Steph raise money to send kids to build a school in Malawi!

remarkablelulu:

As anyone who’s read this blog knows, I love running. I announced last week that I’ll be running the Boston Marathon and I’m excited to tell you why and how.

If you’ve read my archives, you’ll know that I haven’t ever qualified. I’m on a team of 8 runners from around the country who are teaming up to raise over $40,000! We’re sending a team of high school students from Boston to help a village in Malawi build a primary school which will educate hundreds of children. The experience is life-changing for the urban American youth who spend two weeks in a developing country working hand-in-hand with the villagers to build the school.

As you know, I’ve been to Malawi and seen hundreds of children getting their lessons outside under a tree - a school building would mean everything to the families in this village. I’ve also seen the impact that a building like this has made in hundreds of other villages around the world which is why I’ve committed to running 26.2 miles in less than three months and raising $5,500 for this school.

I’m sure you know where this is going. I need your help. In order to make my goal of $5,500 by April 16th, every donation or assistance you can provide me helps immensely!

I encourage you to check out buildOn’s website here and if you want to see what we do firsthand, please watch this fantastic (short!) video on our website.

If you’re able to make a donation, here is the website where you can do so. Please know that buildOn is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and your contribution is 100% tax-deductible. My friends in Malawi and I thank you in advance for your generosity!

FINALLY, please reblog this post. Send it to anyone and everyone you know. Share my travel blog and buildOn’s mission and my big marathon goal. If you know anyone who’d be particularly interested in service learning and education both here and abroad, please let me know and I’d be happy to talk to them. Also, remember that your company may have a donation matching program that you can take advantage of and DOUBLE the impact of your gift!

Okay, enough of my sales pitch. I hope you all know that this is very important to me and I would be most grateful for any help you’re able to give. I love the people in these communities and feel very blessed to be able to help them by running 26.2 miles through the streets of Boston.

Most importantly, my friends in the photo above would be eternally thankful for an opportunity for education, for a future that they may not have had otherwise.

Instead of Mexico, I ran 15km in the snow this morning. It was hard and cold, but also so pretty. I love when the snow rests on the trees and dusts the mountains. Also, running on cold snowy days makes you feel SO hardcore.

Can I go back to Mexico now?

Gus says “I most definitely did not destroy that toy”

:)

A little blurry, but that says 16.67 kms! Yay running! Felt mostly good (except for this stupid irritating burn in my ankle). 

I must say, this new running group has really re-invigorated my love for running. 16kms amazingly seemed to fly by!

emphasisadded:

A view into a cell by Dennis Wojtkiewicz

[via: nevver: arazor]

This is so pretty!

Bullets!

• I’m officially off work til Jan 4
• WOOT!
• I’m drinking tea, eating all of the cookies from my office’s christmas cookie exchange and hangin out with the dog.
• The tree makes me happy
• The idea of grocery shopping does not. 
• I’m really wishing I felt more in the Christmas spirit this year
• Perhaps it’s cause I’m going to Mexico in FIVE days. 
• I am so ready for 2012. 

/end bullets.

All ready for my Christmas party! 

As per usual, T hates my dress (referred to me as a zombie - dark makeup, dark dress I suppose?) but I’m trying to be cheery and wearing my snowflake earrings.

Bring on the holiday cheer!

T made spicy red lentil daal for dinner tonight.

Totally delicious and definitely worth making!

Recipe here.

p.s. when I post photos like this, I really miss my iPhone and curse my blackberry. Get a better camera blackberry!

lfar:

BU Goes to the Quidditch World Cup (by bu)

This is so awesome.