Beat the Christmas Blues Swap - again, 'S' is busy rocking it!

Yahoo! I got my package from my lovely swap partner over at ellecupcake! She sent me a bunch of super cute things which I adore.  Thanks to Alyssa from just putting it out there for organising us, especially since our messages refused to go through to each other. :)

She sent me a whole bunch of really cute sticky tape - I'm very excited to use them when I do some catch ups on neglected snail mail!

Hi-larious!  Aside from the fact that the bootylicious gum was made in Canada (I think bootylicious bubbles would have been a great opportunity for alliteration, by the way) - I love the subtitles on it: 'back dat flava up' and 'spankin' good flava.'  HA!  That made me belly laugh.

My awesome stash!  I especially like the coffee cozy - It kept my hands from burning on my coffee this fine morning... and who doesn't love Fun Dip? 

Pretty, pretty, pretty jewelery Danelle painted herself.  I would have posted this sooner, but I had put the jewelery on as soon as I got it, so I had to remember to take them off and bring them down to take the photo!

More 'S' to be grateful for - fabulous swaps, swap partners & organisers!  

Sunday Evening Reflections

It's been another week, fraught with a great many more downs than ups.  Aside from a whole range of this'n'that, as of yesterday, it's been exactly 3 months since Dad's passing - it was a bit difficult, especially not being home with Mum, Navaz & Shazeen & the Kids... but I am here with Phill and some wonderfully kind, supportive, understanding and loving girlfriends at work and that's pretty awesome.

I have found that making that conscious effort to be mindful of the good stuff throughout the week (with this post in mind) has really helped.  I'm worried I'll forget some things - I'm going to have to start writing them down as they occur to me during the week. 

1.  Two letters from across the ditch and a parcel from across the world this week.  I got a card from Megan on Monday.  I love how honest she is in her letters.  I'm looking forward to getting to know her better.  Later in the week, I got a letter from Sophie in a gorgeous envelope.  She also put in these beautiful note cards - I can't wait to use them!  I also got our Amazon package full of books we had ordered - I'm finally going to read The Girl Who Played With Fire.  I am going to wait until things are less busy, so I can curl up and read for a weekend. 

2.  I can (mostly) drive manual now.  I'm going to try taking the car to work one day this coming week.  Fingers are crossed.  Tightly.  I am probably going to carpool with Rebecca the first time I take it - therefore if I completely lose it, I'll have her in the car with me to calm me down.  (Thank you, in advance, Bexki!) 

3.  I've lost almost 2 kg (4.4 lbs.)  Eating a bit less and moving a bit more is fruitful.  I must keep it up. 

4.  A relaxing Saturday afternoon, watching two hilarious movies to inject a bit of pep to end my week.  I can even feel a smile on my dial when I am thinking of these movies!

First I popped in Sione's Wedding.  This is a hilarious New Zealand film about grown men playing as boyz.  (Yes, I used a 'z' intentionally.)  Sione is getting married on the weekend, and he doesn't want his brother and friends to continue their track record of ruining other people's big days.  The only way they are able to attend the wedding is by bringing a girl to whom they have made a commitment to.  Hilarity ensues.  It's not a cinematic masterpiece, but it's light and funny and the best thing of all - I'm a sucker for a happy ending.  Oscar Kightley is absolutely endearing as Albert, and the rest of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe - hilarious... and Robbie Magasiva?  Not so hard on the eyes, no.

Keeping with the happy endings, I then put in the Aussie classic, The Castle.  This movie is frikkin' hilarious, filled with Aussie colloquialisms and again, lots of warm fuzzies.  The government wants to take the Kerrigan house (and their neigbours) to extend the airport and Darryl Kerrigan is not letting his family home go without a fight.  Not only is it a great movie - the narrator's mullet is top notch!  I can't find a photo of it online, but trust me, it's a stunning specimen.  I can't help but to feel my heart smile when I watch this movie (and no, it's not because I'm reliving my own daliance with a mullet.) 

5.  A pleasant Sunday morning shopping with Louisa and then wandering around a bit with both Phill and Louisa.  So easy to just be with them. 

6.  Going to spend this evening writing letters and cards.  It's one of my favourite ways to spend a Sunday evening.

A rocky week, but no matter how flat I'm feeling - I've always got a heck of a lot to be grateful for.

I get so excited...

when I write letters to send and receive them, that I forget to take photo and to blog about how awesome they are!

I never used to be very fussed about checking the mailbox... but now, I can hardly wait.  I rush to the mailbox, full of anticipation - if it's empty, there's still hope... Phill often (usually) checks it before I do (because I may or may not have been a bit slack about walking out to the postbox in the past.)  So when there's a letter / card / postcard for me, I just can't wait - I rip it open in my extreme excitement... only to be a little regretful that once again, I have not restrained myself long enough to take a photo.  The regret doesn't last very long, because I'm too busy reading what's been written to me, and finding a spot to put it on my "Letter Line" that hangs above the TV. 

So... no photos of incoming... but here are my most recent outgoings (I did toss a handful of letters in the post last week though, so there are more than just these ones!)

About a week ago, I got the most awesome card and letter from Ang.  She had also included some mildly hilarious photos from my university days.  I'd like to say... I think I've definitely improved with age.  Enclosed in this magical envelope is my lengthy response to her letter.

I do not understand why this photo keeps uploading sideways.  I've tried flipping it and all sorts of carry on, but it's just not feeling the photo love.  Regardless, this is a letter I wrote to Michelle.  I "met" Michelle through Megan's Penpal Mailing List at Time After Tea.  This is our first correspondence. 

This is another first correspondence, courtesy of Megan's list.  I'm loving this (and I'm loving my new stickers!)

A letter for my lovely Faiza.  Written and sent with so much love. 

It's funny.  I've found, through writing letters - it's a bit like picking up where Ang and I left off many years ago.  Faiza's always been awesome at sending cards and letters and they always seem to arrive just when I need a pick me up.  I appreciate it more than I can ever express in simple words... I have a sneaking suspicion that I am not the only one of her penpals who appreciates her endless supply of thoughtfulness. 

The thing is, in writing the "first" letters, I'm a bit apprehensive.  What do I say?  What shouldn't I say?  How much is too much, or too little?  Will I scare this poor person off with my openness and babbling, or will they appreciate that I'm (mostly) an open book, ready for reading?  It's a bit nerve wracking - especially the wait for a letter back.  I mean really, it could go either way.  What if my letter turns them off completely and they think "Wow.  She's nuts."  It's a bit of pressure I tell you!  Time will only tell.  In the meantime, I'm going to keep writing.

'M' is for Mail!

Everyone enjoys a bit of snail mail.  I've always sporadically written and received letters from cousins and friends around the world.

The thing is, it's easy to forget how fabulous it is to get mail, because it just doesn't come as often as it once used to.  In today's day and age of instant gratification (I am no exception - I want it and I want it yesterday, thanks) the anticipation and excitement of opening a letter is palpable when I'm holding it in my hands.  I sometimes get the urge to do a little happy dance.  First,  I examine it to see who it's from and run my eyes over the envelope, next I devour the words within to unlock their magic and feel that special connection with someone else who has taken the time to sit down and write to me.  I can't help but to feel so special!

My very first letter writing friend was Karine... no one forgets their first.

I met Karine nearly 20 years ago (holy crap!) at a weekend yearbook publishers' conference.  We got on famously from the moment we met and we decided to keep in touch... there was no email, msn or Facebook way back then. We wrote letters back and forth for many years.  First we wrote within Ontario, and then Nova Scotia-Toronto... then I ended up in Halifax for university, where she already was.  That signaled the death knell of our love affair with the letter.  I got an email address when I got to uni, and that's how we stayed in touch.  I think there was the odd letter here and there after that, but never as consistent as it once was.  We also spent quite a while in the same cities (Halifax, and then Toronto) so we just picked up the phone for a chat.  The instant gratification of a phone chat appeals to my impatient nature... so the letter writing fell by the by.  I'm going to write Karine a letter tonight.

So now, I'm addicted once again - but like I never have been before!  I've started writing letters, cards, sending bits in the post, getting packages and I'm loving it!

Incoming (over the past couple of months):

I got this beautiful card from Sasha.  The photo on the front is a photo from her Mum's garden - it reminded her of the Koru (aka Fiddle heads); her trip to New Zealand, and naturally, of me.  She sent it before I went home for Dad's funeral, but I got it when I came back to Auckland, from Canada.  It was lovely to have this here, with a gorgeous message inside, waiting for me. 

The most recent, wonderful card from wonderful Faiza.  Sent to give me love and strength to help me through when I'm feeling blue.  I am so blessed to get so much mail from her.  I love her. 

This was my very first swap item - A mixed CD from Tillie.  I really, really heart it!  I tried to upload a photo of the postcard she sent me after she received my CD, but it won't work... rest assured, it is a great postcard.

The most fantastic, awesome, fun package EVER!  Megan from Time After Tea sent me this package as part of Passion's New Friend Swap.  I got it after being off school, sick for a day and a half - what a lovely treat to come back to!! I whipped the tag off the bracelet as soon as I opened it at work and popped it on my wrist.  She wrote the sweetest card to go with it... and how cute are these toasty warm socks??  Thanks to Passion who organised this swap and who gave me an amazing partner!

I got this package as part of Tillie's Simply Delightful Package Swap.  It came all the way from Indonesia - I loved that!  You can't tell, but under the key chain, is a tubular shawl.  It's really quite neat, but I'm still trying to figure out how to make it look normal on me.  I also got a really cute belt with a bow on it - it's upstairs, hanging on my mirror, helping to keep me motivated and on track with my exercising.  Thank you, Tillie for such a fun idea and for being my first swapping partner!

Outgoing (again, over the past couple of months):

My partner for Tillie's Simply Delightful Swap was her very own pen pal in Australia.  We had to send three of our favourite things, so I sent her an journal which was made from 100% recycled products and it was made in Canada; some of my favourite note cards and post cards; inspirational and pretty magnets (our fridge is covered with magnets) and some stickers with some lovely quotes.   I hope she liked it - I had a lot of fun picking out what to send her.

LeeAnn is a postcard enthusiast - I got the odd postcard from L when she was in Nova Scotia and I had moved back to Toronto... and then when we both moved overseas, the postcard trend continued... a quick note scribbled back and forth, but nothing meaty.  I've decided to start writing L meaty mail.  I really enjoyed using my new stencils to decorate her envelope... I went for a summer and beach theme for the back of the envie because it's cold here right now and I've got the heater going on full!

Faiza often sends me the most wonderful and lovely cards.  I feel as though I let her down on this end, but I realise that posting is a passion of hers and I've got a way to go yet, but  I'm working on catching up and sending her my belated share of postal love!  Once again, I have a lot of love for my new stencils.  Faiza loves flowers, and I thought that since I didn't send her fresh flowers for her birthday, I'd decorate her envie with some pretty flora. 

I've recently started following Tillie's blog - I participated in her package swap and I swapped mixed CDs with her.  I thought I'd drop a note in the post for her (well, it'll be dropped in the post tomorrow, when I go to the post office!)

Tillie mentioned that it was her mum's birthday recently and she was getting a kick out of all the mail Tillie was getting, so she thought it'd be great if her mum got some mail.  Here's my belated effort (I sealed the envelope before I took the photos... but trust me, the inside is pretty.)

Last but definitely not least, my second letter to Megan (after her swap package... I won't post a picture of it, because I'm not sure if she's received it yet.)  She and Faiza also send letters back and forth, so I knew of her.  I'm so pleased that I'm now getting to know her!  I decorated it with stars because the first time I read her surname, I read it very quickly and I thought it said "Sparkle" and I thought it was the most awesome name ever!  So now, every time I see her name, I think of sparkling and stars.  I haven't told her this bit of cheesy dorkiness (yet somehow, I think it's okay to broadcast my nerdiness it on the internet.) 

I'm off, to write some more letters!

A random list of gratitude.

I'm home.
I feel sick, mostly awful and I want my mum.
I need to make a conscious effort appreciate the good stuff today.

So here is a list of 20 things I've come up with (in no particular order):

1. Sunny and warm winter days
2. Lovely students who tell me that I should be at home resting
3. Lovely co-teachers that send me home to feel better
4. Awesome, caring and thoughtful friends all around the world
5. Hot chocolate

6. 8 followers + 2 rss feeds = 10 readers on my blog.  Double digits baby!
7. A wonderful phone call from yesterday from Tasha that is still making me smile
8. Mum
9. Daytime TV tag lines: "Mum, why won't you top inhaling butane gas?"
10. Allan's appreciation when I gave him the blanket I made for baby Marcus
11. A wonderful, loving and patient husband
12. Aliya + Hussein are married!
13. The All-Whites' awesome draw against Italy - Italy has the talent, but the Kiwis have the heart!

14. Extra-large tissues with aloe and lotion
15. Fuzzy warm track pants and hoodies
16. Chicken noodle soup

17. Getting mail
18. The gorgeous condolence letter I got from two boys that were in my class a couple of years ago
19. 32 Father's Days to appreciate Dad + 1 to remember him
20. Navaz, Shazen, Noah & Maya
21. The Coupers (which includes a former Wheeler)
22. Sleeping off a cold

Look at that.  I made it to 22 things.  I'm off to sleep (and yes, I feel a little better.)

Swaps

I need a little something to lift my spirits, so I've decided to take a leaf from Faiza's book and I'm going to participate in the swaps that she posted on her blog. 

Check them out - they look like a bit of fun.  Just writing about them, reading through the swaps and doing my bio has perked me up already - imagine how happy I'll be when I get my package in the post!

"Life without friendship, is like the sky without the sun."

Passion's New Friend Swap

This looks like something that could bring a smile to even the most sour puss.  You write a small bio, and send it in by the 26th of May.  Just follow the instructions on Passion's blog and you're off to the races!  I've found it a bit of a challenge to write a bio about myself, but I'm really excited to get a package in the post from a new friend!

Go Ahead... Make My Day.  
 

Then there's The Simply Delightful Package Swap. If that name isn't enough to convince me that it's going to be fabulous, the above graphic completely won me over.  This one is easy peasy - send in your interest and Tillie will email you a short questionnaire to answer and again - you're off to the races.  The deadline for this one is the 31st of May. 

Both of these swaps are international, so there are no geographical restrictions or limits. 

Thank you, Faiza for posting these on your blog!  I can't wait to give it a go.