Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Introduction Pen Pal Letter

Let Me Introduce Myself ...


Usually, I ask people to write me first. But on this occasion, I requested a Pen Pal from Japan, so  I am doing the honors.    I decided (since I know absolutely nothing about Yurika) to do a little intro about myself.  So, this is how I designed my  "Intro Sheet".   I included, date, time, weather , temperatures, what I was listening to on the radio,  a few fun facts about living in Japan, and about where I live now.  If you noticed, I included that I, indeed, did reach the summit of Mt. Fuji at the spry age of 11!  Whoo hoo!  Ha, ha....there is such a FUNNY story about that whole adventure! My sisters, and my mom and I have so much fun remembering our experience, we usually laugh till we cry!

What followed this was a rather lengthy letter.  For , you see, I have no problem at all with filling up pages and pages of delightful chatter.  





I would have liked to have sent her a flip book, but then that would constitute a "package".  I already had one package go out to England earlier this month, so I really couldn't.  I think it cost me about $12 or $13 to send a flip book...so one must be sparing, other wise it is cost prohibitive.  However, if you keep your letter to less than 1/4 inch thick, then it can go letter rate,  which is 1 of the above postal stamps you see on my envelope.  But because (as I usually do) I pushed the limits a bit, by adding tea, and other paper ephemera, I put another $1.15 on the envelope.  

What about you?  Do you have very many international pen pals?  If so, do you keep it to strictly a 1 oz. letter or do you splurge?    Postcrossing is a great way to receive international mail, by just sending post cards through the mail.   A Postcard also takes 1  $1.15 stamp.



Sayonara!

Pam





13 comments:

  1. I have around 11 overseas penpals now!!
    About 6 of them write every other month... international letters here are generally $2.25 standard but do have weight and size limits... I have sent small 'packages' and it stays at this rate of post whcih is good... otherwise it gets too pricey!!
    I love your intro sheet!!

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    1. Forgot to say that I am in Australia!
      The amusing (maybe) bit is that our nation wide postage cost is now $1 per letter... and I often have to up that to $2 to send a flipbook or small package WITHIN Australia!! Not far off the price of an international one!! Hmm...

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    2. Hmmm...I think I put about $2-2.50 on my flip books for domestic. Wow..I think that 11 overseas is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!You rock it!

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  2. Heheh, I like to write super long letters too.

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  3. It been a while since I done intro letter. But doing them I feel that I might go one and on, boring them to death.
    But I like this way of doing them....Coffee is on

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    1. Yes, I know. I try not to drone on and on. This is a nice creative way to offer some "starting points" of conversation without hopefully the boredom factor!

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  4. I love your introduction page. The flip books I make usually only cost £3 or £4 to send but lately more as I have been getting very arty. Most of my correspondents are overseas, I have very few British pen pals.

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    1. Oh, I know!!!! I want to keep stuffing, and stuffing until they are quite heavy....then $$$$$. But, I will budget for a few...

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  5. Love it! Brings back good memories - sadly, my pen pal's letters to & from Japan have mostly turned into email & facebook messages. I need to send them some real snail mail again. =D

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    1. I hope that this pen pal will turn into a keeper! Yes, Jan, send them some real snail mail! :-)

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  6. This is my night for catching up on blogs I follow. I noticed the new stamps right away! They really pop on that envelope. My new stamps came in today's mail. Pluto is the first one I used. :)

    You lived in Japan? I had a Japanese pen friend for years. We lost touch after I became too ill to keep up. I enjoyed getting to know my friend though.

    I know what you mean about the postal tipping point. I often overdo it too so extra postage is warranted. My scales help but I'm not diligent about using it. Shipping international packages eats up my postal budget in big bites! That's why I try to make every mailing count. It's worse when the postal clerks comment on how much I spend. Some even ask if I'm sure if I want to spend that much. True friendship has no limit. Right? :)

    Great job!

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    1. So good to hear from you Limner!!!! I hadn't heard from you in quite a while! I'm headed out to your blog!

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