Penpal of the Week #11

This week, let's welcome Kendra Kay from the USA!

1. Please tell us about you!

First of all, I'd like to thank Julie for choosing me to be pen pal of the week!

Lets see here... Well, I'm Kendra Kay, and I was born on July 27th, 1991 in Woodland Hills, California. I moved to Orange County, CA for 6 years, and then to my current city, a suburb of Sacramento called Rocklin. I live with my family: parents, 2 younger brothers (Chris, 13, and Matt, 8), 3 dogs (Angel, 14, Maxx, 1, and Bella 3), 1 cockatiel, a hermit crab, and about a dozen fish... Mostly bettas. Yes, I'm a fish nerd!

This is me. :]

I currently work as a sales associate at a maternity boutique in my local mall, and so far, I'm enjoying it! I will also be starting school again part-time, taking English and French on August 31st. I would like to get into a study abroad program sometime soon so I can take a year and live in Paris!

I have a bit of an addiction to stationary and basically ANY writing product! Pens, envelopes, cute stuff, etc. And I recently purchased a typewriter from the 1950's and fell in love with it! So now I would like another one. :] I do adore vintage as well! I collect currency, stationary, stickers, and quirky things. I have an addiciton to Etsy as well! Oh, and I love photography!

I'm a bit of a hippie sometimes. But I also have other interesting qualities. I'm a big believer in the paranormal. I adore tattoos and piercings, and I would get more if I could! Expensive! I also love children!

I love tattoos and piercings, and was planning on becoming a burlesque model, but I haven't quite gotten that far yet.

General contact info!
popglitz@live.com
http://www.ladykayy.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41059293@N06/
http://www.swap-bot.com/user:Naoya


2. Describe your personality in 10 words!

CARING. I've always been extremely compassionate, and I have a huge heart. It gets me into trouble sometimes though!

UNDERSTANDING. I can connect with anyone most of the time and I do understand what people go through in life. I've been through hell and back (being bipolar among other things), so I'm able to identify.

OPEN. I can talk about anything! Really, ANYTHING!

QUIRKY. Having twelve bettas and liking to go on random city explorations isn't quirky enough? haha.

My random love, fish! This is one of mine... His name is Google. :D

INTUITIVE. I've always been able to zero in on the feelings of others.

CREATIVE. Yes, creative. I love to journal, make things, craft when I can, make ATC's, etc.

STUBBORN. I'm fairly pig headed on occasion.

OPINIONATED. I have a lot of opinions, however I will NEVER push them on anyone. Ever.

SARCASTIC and FUNNY! I have a strange sense of humor that sometimes takes a bit to get used to!

PASSIONATE. I'm passionate about my writing. And passionate about the things I believe in.


3. How long have you been penpalling? How did you first start? Tell us about your first penpal!

I've been penpalling for a few years now. My first penpal that I really connected to is named Monica. She's become basically my best friend and I love her to death. It all started out when I was stuck in a depressive hole and was too scared to leave my home. So I searched for ways to make friends without leaving home. And I just fell in love with the hobby!


4. How many penpals do you have now and where are they from?

My number of penpals changes regularly. I only have a few that write me constantly, and I'm definitely looking for more that are looking for a lasting relationship! I prefer long letters, but short-med are okay.


5. What are your favorite topics to discuss in letters?

Favorite topics... I tend to discuss what's going on in my life mostly. I love hearing about other peoples lives! I also will talk about different global issues on occasions, future plans / hopes /dreams, etc.

My family. :] 2 younger brothers, 8 and 13 at Disneyland!

6. What are you looking for in a penpal?

I'm looking for someone REAL. Someone who will stick around and become my friend! It would be great to have someone to lean on when needed, and have them be able to do the same! I love long letters, so that's always a plus as well! I much prefer female penpals as well.


7. What do you like the most about penpalling?

What do I like most about penpalling... I love that I can be myself. It's so hard for me to explain things through spoken words, but they come out perfect and fluidly once I put pen to paper. I make friends so much easier through penpalling because I'm able to express myself so much better.

I love participating in traveling journals as well as letters. :D

8. In what language(s) do you correspond?

English. :] And I do understand some French!


9. What are some of your habits in regards to letter writing?

Typically, I write my letters on my bed. I don't have a desk in my bedroom that isn't covered in fish tanks. haha. But when I'm in school, I write during classes when I should be paying attention, or before classes when I'm early. I carry a penpalling kit with me in my massive black hole purse. It contains stationary, address labels, stickers, envelopes, etc. As well as a few colored pens (you can never have enough gel pens!). I also keep a notebook handy as well as a few letters if I know I will be writing them while I am out.

It normally doesn't take me too long to reply. :] Depending on work and school. :] Sometimes I get a bit behind, but I catch up quite easily. Oh! And I nearly forgot! I also sometimes use my typewriter to write letters. D: I love the vintage look it gives!

I love to use my typewriter for some of my letters! Gotta love Craigslist right? It's become a bit of an addiction... I love vintage! Especially vintage involving letter writing! (Not my photo)

10. Has anything strange/funny ever happened to you since you've been penpalling?

...To be honest, nothing strange has happened yet! Should I be waiting for something weird to happen? haha.


11. Have you met any of your penpals?

I haven't met any of my penpals yet. :( However, I plan on moving to Paris next year to study, and I'm hoping to take some of my time off to travel around via railways and meet a few of my pals! :D And I'm hoping for a trip to Mexico City at some point to meet one of my pals there, too!

I love photography, and I love Europe. My heart is in Paris. ;]
Note* This was actually taken in Malta.

12. Are you currently looking for more penpals?

Yes! I am always looking for penpals! I love long letter pals especially. :D Any age, but I do prefer female, if possible! Feel free to shoot me an email if you're interested!


Thank you Kendra Kay and send me a postcard if you move to Paris!

If you're interested in being featured on my blog as the Penpal of the Week, please leave a comment with your email address.

Julie xox

Back!

I'm back and I had a great trip! As usual, when I come back from a vacation, I have to catch up on a lot of things... But it was nice not having to worry about anything for 3 days.

I'll post photos in a few days!

Julie xox

Mount Washington

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for New Hampshire, USA! We'll take the train to go to the top of Mount Washington. I'll bring my camera, so expect some photos when I get back!


Julie xox

Penpal of the Week #10

This week, I want you all to meet my dear friend and penpal Amber from Canada!

1. Please tell us about you!

Hello! I'm Amber. I'm a 23 year old mother of two. I currently reside in Soviet Canuckistan, somewhere in the prairies. In soviet canuckistan, moose eats YOU.

I'm sarcastic by default, I harbor the delusion that I am actually somewhat funny, and I like to collect postcards. I have dreadlocks, lame hipster glasses & stretched earlobes. My younger daughter thinks my crocheted items & guitar mangling is pretty fantastic. Well, I'll assume she does. She's two years old, and quite easily amused. Her older sister lives with her father in Edmonton. While I'm not quite comfortable with telling that story, I will mention that we're all on decent terms (as a family).

Checking Facebook on my lunch break from my old job. Good times!

I am Native Canadian. I belong to a small reservation in Southeast Saskatchewan. However, I grew up in a small Métis community in northern Sask (my mom passed her treaty status to my sisters and I). Growing up, the Cree and Michif language was part of our regular curriculum in school. Quite often, we made our own moccasins out of the tanned hide that we had prepared the month before. By the time I was 10, I knew how to skin a rabbit, moose, deer & beaver (though I never did want to prepare it for cooking. That was pretty gross). Native Studies was a requisite for all grades, and sometimes our Gym teacher would have us learning various jigs (The Red River Jig is the official métis dance). We had demonstrations of pow wow dances & we had learned various "native crafts".

A sample of the dreamcatchers I make. These are very basic ones. Not many embellishments at all.

I moved closer to my reserve when I was 14, shortly after my mom passed away, so I could be closer to my maternal family. They're all quite traditional, participating in Sundances, Raindances, Sweatlodge, Pipe ceremonies, and so on. Just about everyone has their Indian Name & Colors (the colors that will later go on the pow-wow outfit).

My beautiful Emilybaby.

I'm found on LiveJournal, Facebook, PostCrossing & Swap-Bot.


2. Describe your personality in 10 words!

Quiet, unassuming, shy, introverted, naïve.

Wait, most wouldn't think so...

Dedicated, Strong-willed, Quirky, Outgoing, Creative, Alternative, Intelligent, Openminded, Blunt & Friendly. I've been told I have the personality of a man, due to my taste in music / film & how I handle my romantic relationships, but I beg to differ.

"Good Morning!" I look a right grouch so early in the morning. Haha!

3. How long have you been penpalling? How did you first start? Tell us about your first penpal!

I've been penpalling for over 10 years. I started when I was 11. I was riffling through a fangirl magazine, I remember it was dedicated to The Backstreet Boys. There was a page dedicated to fan-art & penpals, so I scribbled down an address & started my correspondence with a girl from Australia. She and I swapped magazine clippings, posters, pins & other trinkets. I found my letters getting longer, while hers were getting shorter and shorter. Her last letter to me was less than 1/4 page long. Heh.

Here's a bit of my tea. I have to admit, I am somewhat of a tea addict.

4. How many penpals do you have now and where are they from?

I currently have over 10 established penpals (ones I've known for years), and around 5 or 6 new penpals. Do postcard penpals count, too? If so, I have 2. Haha. I absolutely love my friends, and I put care into every letter. I make sure it's something *I* would be excited to receive in the mail. Sometimes I tuck in some items I know they'd appreciate receiving.

Recent letters and postcards!

5. What are your favorite topics to discuss in letters?

Nothing is off limits, I'll have to admit. Sometimes there's deep conversation or debate on intense topics. Occasionally, there's commentary on the weather, ridiculous coworkers / roommates / parents, updates on family shenanigans, and so on. A few times, we discuss novels we've read, or compare reactions on a certain movie we've seen. There has been a lot of silly banter on utterly stupid topics. I don't have preferences on topics that come up. :)

This was taken when I was tanning at the beach. I love the Qu'Appelle Valley.

6. What are you looking for in a penpal?

Someone openminded and friendly. Being opinionated is also quite fun, but not if the person pushes their beliefs on me.

I also enjoy long letters, but not when there's INFORMATION OVERLOAD. Receiving a 30 page letter with nothing but information on my new penpal - that's hard to reply to. I mean, what do I say to 2 pages of hobbies? Heh.

A small hamper full of yarn, with a few WIPs (works in progress). 2 handbags & a beach tote.

Asking questions & being chatty is pretty important, too. I never know what to say if my new friend goes on about her life, asking no questions & not mentioning anything I wrote in my last letter at all.

Most importantly, I'm looking for a friendship with my penpals. Someone I can write to if I feel down, and someone who feels as though they can confide in me as well.

My best friend and I. I'm on the left, beside the blurred objects. Haha.

7. What do you like the most about penpalling?

Wow, where do I start? Letters are definitely more personal than emails and quick phone calls. Postcards are a fleeting glance into someone's travels. Spending the time to make something special for your friend, and receiving something equally fantastic in return. Learning about their past, their experiences, their history & culture. Diversity and long distance friendships are pretty fantastic.


8. In what language(s) do you correspond?

English, but I have been known to introduce some words and sentences in Cree.

I wrote that just for you, Julie. :P

9. What are some of your habits in regards to letter writing?

I have two places I write my letters. The first is my desk or kitchen table, all of my colored papers, pens, envelopes & anything else I may want to send to my pal. The second is my living room, right in the middle of my area rug, with all of my penpal gear. I usually brew a pot of tea during that time, too. It takes about an hour or three to completely get a letter ready for shipping.

A few items I use for mail-art. Emily had to include her dinosaur (on top of the fantastic octopus memo pad you sent!)

If things are going on in my life, it takes a little while for me to reply. I do let my friends know (via LJ or postcards) if I'm going on hiatus for a while. I'm so lucky to have understanding pals.

Just a small fraction of my writing papers and envelopes. :)

10. Has anything strange/funny ever happened to you since you've been penpalling?

Nothing ever surprises me, to be quite honest. I wish I could say I've received surprise letters or swaps as a result of the times I filled out / made slams. Hmm. A few times, I've received emails from random men in Ghana, demanding I pay their way to Canada so they can be doctors and lawyers. Then again, who hasn't had that happen to them?

Another love of mine. A small bit of my movie collection. I love movies!

11. Have you met any of your penpals?

Technically, I've met 3 of them. However, that doesn't really count since we've been writing to each other after moving from place to place. In the future, I would absolutely love to meet other penpals.


12. Are you currently looking for more penpals?

Not at the moment. I wouldn't want to skimp on the penpals I currently have. I'm up for postcard swaps, slam swaps or other small swaps, though.

A pile of slam I've been working on & sending with letters. I also swap slams in bulk.

Thank you for this nice interview Amber and for being such a good friend!

If you're interested in being featured on my blog as Penpal of the Week, just reply to this post with your email address.

I hope you're enjoying these interviews! Comments and suggestions are always welcome!

Julie xox

Mario <3

My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 years. I met Mario on August 15, 2007 and for the first time in my life, I didn't jump into a rushed relationship. We took things slowly. I wasn't used to that! (My son's dad moved in with me a month after we met.) Now 2 years later, I can say that it definitely was a good thing! Mario and I still don't live together, but our bond has grown and strengthened. At times our relationship was like a roller coaster, but we worked through our issues and that made us better persons.


Mario is such a simple, easy going, patient, understanding, carefree, non-judgemental, spiritual guy... I know that he was on my path to help me relax, loosen up and stop taking life so seriously. With him, nothing is complicated. He's not jealous, not possessive and he trusts me. I feel free, I can be myself and not worry about what he might say or think. He accepts me and loves me the way I am.


He's a great teacher. He's passionate and can talk about something he cares about for hours. He likes explaining things and is very patient. He also likes learning and is open to new things. He's always up for trying something new or doing things differently. He's fun and playful!


Like a lot of guys, communication was not his strong point when we met. This caused a lot of frustrations at first, especially since communication IS one of my strong points! ;) But I'm lucky because Mario made a lot of efforts and communication is no longer an issue for us.

My boyfriend and I are both independent (but committed) persons. We love each other's company, but we also love our freedom and doing things on our own. We wouldn't be happy with a controlling partner! We're both free thinkers and unconventional people.


Mario doesn't care about paper, stationery and letters, but he's happy that I love that sort of stuff and is always ready to listen to my ramblings on these topics. He's very supportive!

He's generous, caring and helpful. When someone needs help, he's always there! He's friendly and outgoing. I've never met anyone who didn't like him. He doesn't care about what others think of him though and he follows his own path.


My boyfriend reminds me of my dad in some ways. I'm sad that they didn't get to meet in this life, but I know that I would have had my dad's approval!

I'm glad that my son and my boyfriend get along. Louis-Justin often tells Mario that he loves him! For the last two weeks, when Nicolas wasn't available, Mario went with my little guy to his swimming lessons.




He's goofy and will do anything to make me laugh. It doesn't always work at first, but I usually end up laughing at him anyway because he's so silly! I love him!

Julie xox

Hot Air Balloons

This morning, when Louis-Justin and I got up around 7:40am, we went outside to look at some pretty hot air ballons in the sky. During the festival, you can usually see them twice a day if the weather is nice: between 6am and 8am and between 6pm and 8pm.

I took photos and here are some of them!










Then I noticed that we could still see the moon, so I had to take photos of that as well...





Louis-Justin was still in his pj's. I took a few photos of him before we went back inside to have breakfast.






Tonight, Louis-Justin and I had a picnic at a park near my house. After we finished eating, we noticed some hot air ballons in the sky so we drove to the place where they take off. I didn't have my camera with me but I wish I did because I could see about 40-45 balloons in the sky at the same time. It was stunning!

There's a hot air balloon festival in my city every year so I'm pretty used to it, but I sometimes forget that not all people have the chance to see the sky filled with beautiful colors every summer... So tell me, have any of you ever seen hot air ballons before?

Julie xox

Sinful Attraction

I saw Tori Amos live last night! The show was amazing and we had really good seats. Stéphanie and I were in the 6th row, but for the last 4 or 5 songs a lot of people walked up to the stage to dance so I was about 12 feet away from Tori! :)

I took some crappy pictures with my cell phone, but we can't really see anything so here are some better photos from her website.




My favorite song was "Precious Things" and according to the reaction of the crowd, most people probably agreed with me!

I saw her in November 2002 too but this show was much better. I had a great time with my friend as well! Definitely a wonderful night.

Julie xox

Penpal of the Week #9

Today, I'm happy to announce that we have a very special person as Penpal of the Week: our first man! Do you remember last week's interview with Gaëlle? Here's her husband, Henry from Ireland.

Please tell us about you!

First of all, I want to thank Julie for giving me the opportunity to be on her blog and to prove that it is not only girls who make good penpals.

Hello, my name is Henry, or Kike as my Spanish students call me, and I’m a 33-year-old Irishman. I’ve spent most of my life in this country, and despite travelling abroad, I found myself returning home. After all, there is no place like home. Growing up, I loathed the village I came from. It was small, green, scenic and quiet, everything a teenager rebels against. Enniskerry is situated in the heart of the countryside, just 18km from our capital city but submerged in the type of natural beauty postcards were invented for.

Now, I mentioned that my students call me Kike, so you may have put your thinking caps on and come to the conclusion that I am a teacher, well done, that is true. Actually, I studied Engineering in college but my desire to travel opened new doors and I ended up becoming an English teacher. I currently hold the position of Head teacher or Director of studies, in the small private school I work in.

My family consists of my eccentric younger brother, bossy older sisters, and divorced parents. Throw in a couple of family pets and you have your very own dysfunctional Irish Partridge family!!

In 2002, I decided to leave the green, green grass of home and try to find myself and true love. You see, I have always been a romantic, sometimes a hopeless one, but a romantic nonetheless. Barcelona accepted me into her bosom like the good mother she is. Things were far from perfect in the beginning, but amidst the madness and mayhem, somewhere between despair and hopelessness, I found a Princess. Now I don’t know if any of you have ever dreamt of a person, an ideal person, and then met exactly that person, but that is what happened to me. My wife Gaëlle stole my heart the day that she stole that first kiss and I have loved her for 6 years, 8 months, 20 days and counting.

This was the day that my wife and I saw the scan of our new son for the very first time.

2. Describe your personality in 10 words!

Asking me to explain all the tenses of the English language, or to solve a complicated equation, would surely pose less of a task, than describing myself! Perhaps, the first word would be TALKATIVE. My mother used to say that if they could only harness the energy that I produce from speaking, we wouldn’t need fuels anymore. Secondly, I would say I am FRIENDLY and FUNNY. Both are important as a teacher and are some of my most important and best traits. Being Irish I can say without a doubt, I am SARCASTIC. They say it is the stupid man’s form of wit. I disagree and believe I prove that myth to be false. I’m STUBBORN and DETERMINED. The difference being that it depends on whether my forthright attitude is used for positive or negative reasons. ADDICTED to playstation and movies. PASSIONATE, about writing, about following my dreams, but most of all, about my wife and son. I love them with all my heart and soul and feel so PRIVILEGED to have them in my life. Finally I would say CRAZY. You have to be crazy to be a teacher and I love to make people laugh, be silly, funny, and goofy and just enjoy the life I have and the life I am making for myself.

My son, Killian and I share a smile. I love him with all of my heart.

3. How long have you been penpalling? How did you first start? Tell us about your first penpal!

I was a teenager at the time and I was shy. It seemed like a good way to escape into another world. Adventures, both small and great, are sought after by most. I remember the joy I had when I began. First, there was this uncertainty and clumsiness. My writings, or babblings were scattered and undefined. My first penpals were guys and after that, girls. I jumped between topics. Those of most teenagers. I love sports, hate school, no one understands me. To this day, I consider my penpalling as much a part of my adolescence as trying my first cigarette.

In time, due to school and acne, I lost touch with this great love, only to rediscover it in my early twenties. I've lived in three different countries, had relationship​s with girls from different parts of the world, and dreamt of travelling to places I never before imagined. All this was as a result of the seed of discovery, that writing gave to me.

I love, and enjoy many things. From the typical boyish passions of football and playstation,​ to writing poetry and walking in the rain, but if you asked me to choose between these things and writing to my friends from all over the world, well sorry SONY, but I'll have to stick with my paper and pen. I love to use nice paper and stickers. If I don't have any I borrow with no intention of giving back, from my wife. I love to scent my letters or put my initials in wax on the back of the envelope. I write 3-5 pages and ask questions, share ideas, my week, my life. I write from the heart and remember the things I have been told because if they meant enough for you to write them, then they mean enough for me to remember.


4. How many penpals do you have now and where are they from?

The number is in a flux state at the moment because, well I want more. I don’t think I would be on this blog if I had given up looking for new and wonderful penpals. Right now, I have four penpals, ranging from long time, to very recent.

My longest running, and most cherished penpal, is a Norwegian girl called Grete. Grete is 24 years old and like me, has embarked on family life. She is the proud mother to a wonderful little boy and in the 3 years that we have been writing she has always made an effort to write meaningful, pretty and thoughtful letters. She is there if I need her and I really hope someday that we can meet because I don’t consider her as a penpal, but as a friend.

In addition, I have a really great penpal from Italy who makes me laugh and is a great listener. There is Jenny from Canada, who although has not been writing to me for long, has connected with me in a way that makes me feel comfortable as if we have known one another for a very long time.

I really enjoy reading about the lives of my penpals.

5. What are your favourite topics to discuss in letters?

Oh anything! I mean why limit yourself to one topic, I believe that true friends can talk about everything and anything. I try to talk from the heart and tell my penpals about my life, my fears, my worries and my aspirations for the future. The reason we write is to get to know people and where they are from.

Now I’ll be honest, I do enjoy asking questions. Perhaps this is the teacher in me, but if I don’t ask things, I won’t find the answers. At the moment, my life is racing before my eyes. I’m getting older. One year ago I was in a relationship and a teacher. Now I’m married, the Head teacher and father to a wonderful son. These explosions in my life take centre stage in my writing but are only the skeleton of the body of work I like to contribute in my letter writing.


6. What are you looking for in a penpal?

In the past, I might have thought someone with the same interests or like me would be what I am looking for. However, through years of writing and penpalling, I have come to the conclusion that what I am really looking for is someone who wants to get to know me, share a part of themselves and make an effort to writing long, nice letters. Male or female, 18 or 80. If you are nice and you believe that I might be the type of person that you would be happy to get to know then I would love to hear from you. Friendships are like relationships, you have to try them and then work on them to make them last. That’s how I feel about penpals, I want to work at being a great one.

Choosing the right paper for the right penpal always takes time, but it is worth it in the end.

7. What do you like the most about penpalling?

I love opening my mailbox to find a letter waiting for me. The foreign postcodes, unusual stamps, the handwriting, even the scent on the pages. They all contribute to a magical experience, which I believe has been lost due to the Internet and phones. Ok, maybe letters take time, maybe they are slow, but all good things to those who wait.

Getting to know someone, finding out what makes them happy and sad, this is wonderful and I love decorating a letter, or stamping it with wax and my initial. Sometimes I try to imagine the faces of my penpals when I send over a long and well-crafted letter. I only hope that I give them as much pleasure as they give me.


8. In what language(s) do you correspond?

Sadly only English. It would be lovely to be able to speak and write a higher level of Spanish and French than I currently have. Only time will tell on that one.


9. What are some of your habits in regards to letter writing?

Quickly, would be the first word I think of. Now don’t get me wrong, I do think about what I want to say and write from the heart, answering everything that has been asked of me as well as sharing from my own heart. However, I do write back the same day or the next and as a person who is very determined and quick thinking, I tend to sit at a desk or the kitchen table, open my drawer, full of paper, pens, stickers and all required for letter writing, and I simply let the words flow. Perhaps it is the ex-engineer in me, but I like arranging the stickers, cutting the paper and making the letter look pretty, as much as I like writing the letter.

Here I am writing a letter. As you can see, I like to draw as well as writing.

10. Has anything strange/funny ever happened to you since you've been penpalling?

Well, before I met my wife I went through a long time of singularity and loneliness. This is no excuse for accepting a penpal’s offer to visit their country, but no one is perfect. In September 2000, after just 3 months of corresponding, I accepted an offer to visit America. At the time, I was under the impression that I was simply being offered the chance of a holiday, a once in a lifetime trip, but nothing more. Upon my arrival, the red carpet was rolled out and the world was my oyster. This false hope and promise disappeared within days and in some kind of real fairytale, the kind that involves poisoned fruits or misleading gingerbread houses, I fell hook line and sinker, into the trap. Cornered one sunny afternoon, my PENPAL made her intentions and her disappointment, very clear. You see, she had invited me, not as a friend, but because she was interested in me. She wanted a relationship and felt hurt that in my three short days I had failed to reciprocate those feelings. The next two weeks were, uncomfortable, to say the least, and I spent the rest of my holiday hanging out with her younger brother, whom I am still friends with, some 9 years later.


11. Have you met any of your penpals?

Well, I believe I’ve answered that one with my horror story. The only other penpal I met was a Swedish penpal who came to visit me here in Ireland. I would happily meet all of my penpals if I could.


12. Are you currently looking for more penpals?

Of course! There is always room for more friends and my love of letter writing has not diminished in the 17 years I’ve been doing it. So come one, come all. If you are looking for a friendly, funny, talkative penpal then I hope you will keep me in mind. As they say for puppies, a penpal is for life!!

If anyone wishes to get to know me and become my penpal, then, just email me at: h.j.okeeffe@gmail.com or alternatively add me as a friend on Facebook with that same email address or check my Interpals profile here.


Thank you for such a wonderful interview, Henry!

If you're interested in being featured as Penpal of the Week on my blog, just leave a comment with your email address!

Julie xox