Fun with alphabet stamps.

Lazy Sunday.

Friday in pictures.

Outgoing on a Monday.

I registered for a class today but I quit one of my jobs! I'll be busier for a couple of weeks and then have a lot more freedom. And I will be better at posting someday, I swear!

T-u-e-s-d-a-y

I'm happy to finally have a chance to post! I spent the weekend in Seattle and was pleasantly greeted by a full mailbox when I returned.

The cute hummingbird sticker on the red envelope made me happy as I'd just snapped a photo of a hummingbird in my neighbor's feeder that morning.

Nathan drew me a cute Little Sister from Bioshock when I told him about my Halloween costume last year.

As usual, Melissa had made the most creative stationary out of old maps and calendars. She also pasted on tiny envelopes with great little cards inside. 

A couple outgoing letters:

Due to all that good inspiration (and also a couple glasses of Scotch) I decided to embark on a crafty journey late last night! I walked to the store for glue-sticks and ended up with a deck of cards for some reason. I attempted to incorporate them in with some old maps from an atlas, other stationary I had lying around and an old Child Psychology textbook. I think it was a success! 

The big move is in two weeks and things should be smooth sailing thereafter. I'll post again soon! 

Monday's mail.

Good afternoon! I hope it's warmer there than it is here. The heater broke, so I'm cooped up inside in a pile of blankets and I'm very glad to have some letters to keep me company.

I also received some fantastic stationary that I cannot wait to use! 

I've been so impressed with the creativity put into most of the letters I've received. It gives me such a dynamic view of the people I'm writing with. However, the content is always great, regardless of the aesthetics. I have to say that there hasn't been one letter that I haven't enjoyed reading and responding to. So here's a big thank you to everyone who I've been writing with! 

Just under the wire.

Incoming:

Outgoing:

I started the day with a tremendous amount of energy. I was incredibly productive and didn't really stop until now. The weather was beautiful and everything seems to be in a good place. I better get some sleep -- it's kind of hard to type with one hand and hold my eyes open with the other. Good night, world.

Memorable Monday.

Summer's finally here! Maybe the rest of you have been enjoying warm weather since March, but us Portlanders have been waiting patiently in the rain. I took two walks this afternoon and did absolutely no studying! Overall, I'd say the day was a success.

The first walk took me down to my PO box and I was pleasantly surprised! After receiving no mail last week, I figured that nobody wanted to write to me...or that the mailmen were eating my letters.

That one on top is a postcard from Acadia National Park, where that pen pal just proposed to his girlfriend! I felt pretty special to receive it, and who's cutting onions in here? 

This was my favorite envelope of the day:

Outgoing: 

A couple of hours and a hand-cramp later, you'd think I'd never want to write again but I'm already ready for round two. It's a really unique feeling to be a piece of a stranger's life through letters  -- much more personal and thoughtful than through e-mail. It means so much more. Whether it's just a "hello" or a nine-page letter (you know who you are!), it makes me feel connected and part of something bigger. 

Thursday -- Incoming/Outgoing

I received a nice letter from New Jersey today. I learned that not everybody who lives there is like MTV portrays them. My response was three full pages, front and back. I guess I had a lot to say tonight. Now it's time for some Carpal tunnel exercises.

M-o-n-d-a-y

I received my first letter today from Eric in Michigan!

(Don't worry, I won't normally take photos of the letters themselves but I figured he wouldn't mind as it's just pleasantries plus a photo of him looking quite dapper. Your secrets are safe with me.)

Outgoing:

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend the movie Mary and Max. It's a quirky stop-motion film based on a true story of two pen pals. Mary is a young girl in Australia writing to an older man in New York City with Asperger Syndrome and a love for chocolate hot dogs. It's on Netflix for anybody with the urge to watch a cute yet odd, feel-good film.

Happy Friday!

Sending out my first two letters today. I'm pretty excited to have an excuse to use my new wax seal paraphernalia.

I also maaaaay have gotten a bit overeager at a paper store near my house...

I hope you all have a great weekend! It's supposed to be beautiful here and my pale Oregon skin might actually get to see some sunlight.