Friday, January 31, 2014

Direct Swap - Stanley from China

I cannot remember how Stanley and I first connected exactly but this is our third completed swap. He is more of a stamp collector than postcards, however always has such an amazing selection of cards to chose from. Similar to last year we arranged to exchange for Chinese New Year. I was happy to send him this stamp. In return, he sent me this great card, stamps with the first day cancellation. A wonderful combination! Gong Hei Fat Choy!



Thursday, January 30, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

A little over a week until the opening of the Sochi Olympic Games. You will know where to find me on opening night - glued to the TV with the kids! In all honesty, I can't say I watch that much of the actual sporting events, however I really do enjoy the lighting of the cauldron and the show that goes along with it. This card from Alexander in Moscow is a great addition to a few of my collections. While much more open, oddly Fisht Olympic Stadium reminds me a little of Bird's Nest Stadium. I also will be able to enjoy seeing my brother in laws work as he is part of the television crew covering the Olympics. Will you be watching any of the Games?



Wednesday, January 29, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Peru

It is always a fun day when you receive a card from a new country. I was very pleasantly surprised when this map card of the Lake Titicaca region of Peru arrived from Eva. She is a Russian who has been living in Lima for 5 years. Funny how that one sentence sounds so much more exotic than most of what I have done in life! This card has a little bit of all of my favourites going on.



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

USA from Michael

My dear friend Michael was in New York in November and found this sensational card for me. I absolutely {love} fireworks! So nice to know that he is thinking of me too.



Monday, January 27, 2014

Random Act of Smiliness - Nalini from Trinidad & Tobago

Nalini was hosting a lottery and lucky me was the winner, sort of. Originally the "prize" was she would send a card to a person of your choosing. I already had my friend J.J. in mind when I entered. I was totally surprised when I was selected twice. Nalini suggested the second card could be for myself if I didn't have one from Trinidad & Tobago yet. I didn't and was very thankful she was flexible with her prize. The view shows Maracas Bay which Nalini says is one of the most popular beaches. Forget the fact I would probably burn to a crisp there I think it would be hard to go to work everyday knowing you could be going to a beach that is so beautiful. Thank you Nalini!



Sunday, January 26, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Kees and Henny are a married couple who sent this card to me back in November. Lucky me they even had some Postcrossing stamps still to use. I love this card as it so nicely sums up the images that come to ones mind when you think of The Netherlands. I tried to think of six typical images of Canada - hockey, maple syrup, Rockie Mountains, beavers, Niagara Falls and Aboriginals in traditional dress. I am probably missing some that might be better or more iconic. It is actually kind of hard. What aresix images that best represent your country?



Friday, January 24, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Brazil

This card has got me stumped. Alberto from Rio de Janeiro sent it to me and it shows an evening view of the Hilton Hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The card is old. I mean yellowy back (not that I mind) old. I have googled several different ways and the Hilton that is there now is not the same building. Unless I am missing something, you tell what you think. I know hotels in Toronto seem to change somewhat frequently but I cannot find anything to help me out with this one. A neat card none the less.



Thursday, January 23, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Finland

I love Google translate. I know it is often not perfect but I do like that I can listen to the words that I have translated. Can you guess what ihana means? Check here to see if you are right. Thank you Anne, I love alphabet cards.



Wednesday, January 22, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Ukraine

Anastasia sent me this card from Kiev showing the Ukrainian National costume. Strange thing, she wrote my address out perfectly and it came with a Canada Post printed sticker with my address on it. Weird, and weirder that it came in 15 days.



Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

J.J. travelled to New Orleans for Hallowe'en and sent this card to me. I was "so young" when I visited that city. One thing that really struck me was the fact they poured your drink in a plastic take out cup when they were closing so you could leave with it. Drinking on the street?!?!?! I was barely legal to drink in Canada let along the US at the time, I was stunned. A great "large letter" card which you can read a bit more about here.



Monday, January 20, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Uwe from Germany sent this card to me showing Schuco Arena located in Bielefeld. I don't see any people in this card, does it really exist.....I wonder?!?!?



Sunday, January 19, 2014

November - Ayn from United Arab Emirates

This is a great 3D card that Ayn sent me. It shows the major landmarks and icons of the United Arab Emirates. The week it arrived my family and I had just watched the TV Show "Amazing Race" and that episode was filmed at Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the timing was perfect! A really great card - thanks Ayn!



Saturday, January 18, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

I don't recall if I have written about Black Forest cake in the past or not. I do like cherries and I do love chocolate but it is probably the only cake I would say no to. Why? I can't really say but it is not something I have ever cared for. Now having said that, if I found myself in Germany I would certainly have a piece to say I did and chances are it may be much better than any I have ever had here anyway! Guenter sent this card of a young lady in the traditional costume, or tracht  of the Black Forest. He wrote explaining to me that she is unmarried as the balls on her hat are red, if she was married they would be black. Interesting.



Friday, January 17, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Canada

Tamara lives approximately 40 kms from me. Probably the closest distance yet for me to receive a card. She wrote that she finds it hard to select cards for fellow Ontarians (I can relate to that!) and chose this card as it is special to her. Her boyfriend is from Bulgaria and she says it is an amazing place. Love the fact that it is shaped, although it did see some bends along the way to me. Also, how could I not like the sheep in the middle!



Thursday, January 16, 2014

Random Act of Smiliness - Morocco from Susan

Susan is continuing her travels southward from Spain and November found her in the Roman ruins of Volubilis in Morocco. A wonderful surprise to receive this card and loved reading about her journey. Thank you Susan!



Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Canada from Michael

Another busy day at the office for my dear frined Michael. This time he was checking out Hillside Winery & Bistro on Penticton, BC. Cheers to you too!!!





Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Direct Swap - Veronica from Belarus

Belarus is the latest country to issue a stamp celebrating Postcrossing. After reading about it here, I was hoping I would be lucky to receive one. On the Postcrossing Forum, Veronica posted that she was looking to swap and the card and stamp were her offer. Perfect! Lucky for me I had a card she wanted of the extended British Royal Family and we agreed to swap. Her card arrived yesterday. She posted it as a maxi card which seems even better - yeah me! Thank you Veronica, hoping my card makes it to you soon.


Monday, January 13, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Svetlana from Moscow sent this super vintage card showing Lenin's Tomb in Red Square, Moscow with the Kremlin in the background. It is old, I mean really old, no printing date on the back but the feel of the paper as well as the fuzziness of the picture you can just tell. And it is great! Oddly, one thing that I can remember perfectly about Red Square is the changing of the guards at Lenin's Tomb. Talk about precision! Another great card that helps bring back some very distant memories. The stamps she chose too are great. They actually translate to say "Happy New Year!"



Sunday, January 12, 2014

September - Ayn from United Arab Emirates

Ayn sent this card showing silhouettes of camels caught in a stunning sunset in the deserts of Oman. She writes that she lives only 20 minutes from the border. I really do not know the geography of that area of the world as well as others and had no idea they were so close.



Saturday, January 11, 2014

Random Act of Smiliness - Eileen from England

Eileen sent me an incredible birthday surprise back in October. Yes, I am still catching up on lots of things that are floating around my desk.  She wrapped the package in a museum brochure which was fun and colourful. The stamps she chose - wow, wow and wow!!! These have been floating around for a few years! Inside were lots of neat goodies - postcards (of course), a pencil that says "Postcrossing Rocks!", a 3D magnet and some fruity tea from her recent trip to Bulgaria as well as a Kit Kat bar from Japan. The chocolate bar was very different. No idea what the flavour was supposed to be but it was covered in white chocolate and much whiter inside than the ones you buy here. Very much appreciated and makes turning another year older that much easier. Thank you Eileen!





Monday, January 6, 2014

OFFICIAL Card - France

Estelle studies geography and has a passion for climbing and mountaineering. She sent this card to me showing views of the mountain where she went climbing that morning. How cool is that! Looks beautiful.



Sunday, January 5, 2014

OFFICIAL card - Germany

Ralf lives in Bochum, Germany and sent this card showing views of his hometown. He told me about a fast food from this region called "Curry-wurst, pommes, rot-weib" - sausage with curry sauce, fries with mayonnaise and ketchup and tells me it is delicious. Not a fan of ketchup but the rest does sound like an interesting combination, although I can almost feel the heartburn! And no, I don't think I'll have a bubble tea with that! Fun stamp he chose for me too.



Saturday, January 4, 2014

Direct Swap - Hallie from USA

So I joined a folded Christmas card swap via Facebook. Our names were given out randomly to a participant and we each received one card in return for the one we sent. My card came from Hallie who lives in California. With the card she included what she describes as her "tackygram" the at times dreaded end of year family update/letter. I actually have always enjoyed reading these, albeit I have not had many sent to me. Call me curious, or weird, but I do. Not knowing Hallie or her family I found it particularly fun. She also shared some of her families holiday traditions which have a lot to do with food. I also didn't mind reading all about that! Thanks Hallie!



Friday, January 3, 2014

Random Act of Smiliness - Nina from Austria

Nina and I have done a few swaps via a Facebook group we both belong to. The last card she sent did not arrive and to be honest I really was OK with it. I knew we would do more swaps in the future and things would all work out in the long run. I was very surprised when she sent this lovely Christmas card to me. Maybe she felt bad her last card went astray, maybe she just likes me. Who knows, it was most welcomed.



Thursday, January 2, 2014

Christmas from Canadian Friends

Now that the decorations are put away I still have a few cards that made it up on display before they were scanned. I try not to group cards together, however at this pace it may still be Christmas for another week!

These are all from friends I have made through the July meet-up I attend.

From Lynda.



From Alida, with another fun cancellation!



And a pretty shaped folded card from Tracy.



Thanks ladies and I too look forward to seeing you all next summer!