Lots of Postcards

I apologize for not keeping you up to date on my postcard journey…

Let’s start with the ones I sent to people.

To Russia

To Germany

To Germany

To Missouri, USA

While I was poking around on the postcrossing website, I found the forums where you can request postcards from people. Two areas that interested me were one where cards are sent to/from the US (every other person who posts is from the US), and the other is where you randomly select a card (such as from that stash you aren’t sure what to do with) and send it to the next person on the list (the Tag group is appropriately named “Eyes Closed”). Here is a postcard going to China from the “Eyes Closed” group.

To China

This one actually came from a group of postcards my FIL gave me, most are from the Crystal Cave park in Pennsylvania.

Alright, next up are the postcards I received (in order).

This is from Australia and it is from the Old Government House in Parramatta, New South Wales (a suburb of Sydney). This is actually the second government house, built in 1790. It was used until about 1845 when the current one was built. It is furnished in early 1820s style.

Next up is another card from Taiwan. As the sender indicates, the front is a dragon pillar (I can’t really see the dragon in the photo, do help me and let me know if the card is oriented correctly).

This card came from Hong Kong, and after some research on Amazon, it appears to be some books in German edition, possibly textbooks? Unsure of the translation on the card, so feel free to translate that as well for me, if you know.

Going a little closer to home and visiting New York with this card.

Our next stop is in Finland, and I am a personal fan of this card for two reasons. One, its Disney theme, of which I am a fan (Aku Ankka = Donald Duck). Secondly, Donald is running on the front (okay, he’s doing the long/triple jump, but still, its track and field which does contain running events) and I received this card just shortly after completing my first 10K. An awesome coincidence in my book!

The New Palace (Neues Palais in German) is in Potsdam, Germany. It began contstruction in 1763 as a way to celebrate the end of the Seven Years’ War and was completed in 1769. If you read about it in Wikipedia, it would indicate that the palace is not open to the public for tours, but the sender does indicate that the public was allowed to visit recently, due to Frederick the Great’s 300th birthday taking place recently (2012). Frederick the Great was King in Prussia (1740-1786). This palace appears to not have been a place of residence for him, but more of a place to host visitors.

The final card comes from Russia, and shows where the sender is going to school. Lomonosov Moscow State University (Russian: Московский государственный университет имени М. В. Ломоносова, Moskóvskiy gosudárstvennyy universitét ímeni M. V. Lomonósova) was founded in 1755, but renamed in 1940, and is one of the oldest and largest universities in Russia (although St. Petersburg State University would like to dispute that saying they are the oldest). According to Wikipedia, it was the Tallest Building in the Soviet Union (1953-1991) and the Tallest Building in the Russian SFSR (1953-1991) – taking both titles away from the Kotelnicheskaya Embankment, and held the following titles until beaten by the Triumph Palace in 2005: “Tallest Building in the Former Soviet Union, Tallest Building in Russia, and Tallest Building in Moscow” (which it also took away from the Kotelnicheskaya Embankment)

One last set of photos for you. These are from my display on the wall which will showcase my postcard collection to all who enter (until I start getting more, then they will rotate and be stored in an album of some sort).

First, here are my two inspiration photos, both found via Pinterest.

Here is the display in its entirety, minus a sign of some sort that I want to put above.

A close up of how the cards are displayed. For reference, I took ribbon and created the border around the map (the map was purchased at a teacher store). The postcards are tacked on by map pins (bought at an office supply store). Yarn is strung from the postcard to the location it came from on the map. Here’s a close up of the start/end of the yarn…

Hope you enjoyed this little world-wide vacation with me. I’ll see you next time when another postcard graces my mailbox.

*Disclaimer: Some historical facts were found via wikipedia

Mother’s Day, Kentucky Derby, 10K and 5K

First, in honor of Mother’s Day being tomorrow, a collage I created of me and my mother.

The first photo is from my birth, the third photo is us in a photo booth at a friend’s wedding a few years ago.

Yep, my mother and I have been together for 30 years! Wow! I’m still in shock that I’m that old. It still hasn’t sinked in after two months.

Next is a race update. I now have a new race to add to my “done” list, along with a new distance … 10K. First a photo of me pre-race, then a photo of my awesome time!

I am totally excited that I ended with the pace I did, because to be honest, there was little running between this race and my race in March, and I was happy because my 5K time was about a 15 min/mile pace. Yes, you will notice that I finished last among the 10K runners. Well, the truth is that I finished absolute last, every runner, including 5K walkers, all crossed the finish line before me. And going into the second half of my 10K, I guessed it was going to happen. What were my clues? Well, the first one was that I didn’t see anyone behind me the last 4 miles. #2 was as I started my second loop, a cop asked me if I was the last, and after telling him yes, as far as I knew, he preceded to follow me the rest of the way (well, as long as I was on city streets – I lost him when I cut through a park with about 2 miles left). However, I remember something a sparkfriend had written in her blog about her first triathlon that had kept her motivated, and the saying popped into my head during this run and definitely kept me going…

Oops! I just realized that I never told you about my March race. I posted photos on facebook, but forgot to mention it to you all here. I’m so sorry.

Back in mid-March, the Saturday after my birthday, I took part in the Biggest Loser Run/Walk series race.

I also got to have my picture taken with a former contestant.

Her son, who was also on the show, was also there, but he was playing with his group at the time.

Oh, and of course, my time, which is my second fastest 5K time to date.

Lastly, onto my first Kentucky Derby event. I was volunteering with Girls on the Run, who was a beneficiary for the event, and here is the awesome hat me and my MIL came up with the night before.

Okay, I think you are officially caught up on major events in my life thus far. Stay tuned for more …

Taiwan, Belarus, and Flowers

In my last post, I shared a close-up of the flowers I planted. In this post, I’ll show you the area as a whole.

garden before

garden after (right side)

garden after (left side)

Also, I’ve got another postcard ready to go in the mail tomorrow. This one will be making a trip to visit Belarus (second trip to that country).

And, the day everyone waits for when they sign up for postcrossing … That’s right ladies and gentlemen, my first postcard has arrived in the mail! Yay!!! This one came from Taiwan. That is 6,462 miles away, and it took 14 days for the card to reach me.

front of the card

back of the card

And yes, I did shriek when I saw it. Ah, come on, I know you did too when you saw your first one in the mail pile.

One bit of happy news to share with you — I went for a wog (walk/jog) yesterday to make sure I’m in shape and able to do a 10K in a few weeks, and I was able to jog 1 mile straight without stopping. I was so happy when I made it to the end of that mile! For one, I was out of breath and desperately wanted to walk and catch my breath again. For another, the last time I would have been able to have done that would have been back in 6th grade (18 years ago) when I was on the track team. Now, as part of track, my event was the 400m (one lap around the track) and a mile is 1600m (4 laps) so its possible I couldn’t even do it then, in which case this would be the first time in my entire 30 years of life that I was able to jog for one mile without stopping. Needless to say, there was a happy dance going on in my head. (Yep, that shriek from my first postcard came out then too…)

And lastly, a photo I took a few days ago at the end of a rain storm. Yep, that’s right – I saw a rainbow and after considering its beauty, my next thought was that I had to take a photo of it. Does that make me a photographer?

Netherlands, Flowers, and a Party

First thing to share is a postcard I am sending to The Netherlands…

to The Netherlands

Second are some flowers I planted today…

hydrangeas

azaleas – in this color and an orchid looking one (not blooming yet)

ivy geraniums – in pink and white

fuschia

coral belles

Third are some photos from a friend’s birthday party (well, actually it was for her birthday, her mom’s birthday, and her parent’s anniversary — busy month for that family …)

happy birthday, birthday, anniversary

this kiddo was a cutie in almost any photo i took

blowing bubbles

enjoying the slide at the park

taking off his leg

birthday girl taking a swing

pinata cake

Belarus and Water

Day 4 – This Happened Today …

Today, I handed out water/powerade to runners during a 10-mile race with an organization called Girls on the Run (click here to find out more about this group).

two young ladies that came to pass out water as well

she got a lot of comments from runners similar to “I didn’t really want any, but she was so cute, I couldn’t refuse”

While I was there, I was able to practice a bit of action photography by shooting runners during slow times.

first female runner to show up to our station (after about 20ish guys)

I also picked up several postcards to send out, including this one that is heading to Belarus. Still anxiously waiting for my first postcard to arrive.

sent to Belarus

Old Sacramento – Train rides, boat rides and a visit to the Old Sacramento School House (pictured on front). It is a historic one room school. Just some of the fun in Old Sacramento.

A, Blue, and Texas

If you remember back to January and February, I told you I was participating in a photo challenge … Well, that stopped about mid-February and I’m picking it up again this month. However, I am going to be more lenient with my rules as I don’t do well with “daily” stuff. I will strive to participate for all days, but I do not promise to post them that day, or even take them that day. Part of the reason I am participating in these challenges is to improve my skills as a photographer, and I don’t feel struggling to find a subject for a photo at 10pm at night to make a deadline is a good way to improve that skill.

So, without further ado, here is the challenge list for April, along with my first two photos (day 2 and 3)…

The website of the creator (Chantelle) is fatmumslim.com.au if you want more info on the challenge or how to join

Blue – a collection of things… 1) A picture frame from my senior year of high school, along with my tassel from high school (blue and green were the school colors); 2) A scene painted by my nana on a light fixture (wired by my poppa); 3) a Bedtime Bear (care bears) ornament; 4) some vases

Begins with A – Alaskan beer (the flavor on the left is Amber)

Now on to the Texas part. As I am documenting my postcrossing journey as well, I am pleased to announce that my card to Texas has arrived! Now the joy of sending and receiving cards can be enjoyed. Speaking of sending, my next card will be traveling to Belarus. Stay tuned to see what card I picked out to make the journey.

 

Sending Postcards

Here are my first set of postcards to be sent out. The description that follows is the wording on the back of the postcard.

To China

Capitol Building, Sacramento, California – Home of the California Legislature since 1869, the State Capitol underwent a major renovation that restored much of the building’s original look. There are gardens in the surrounding Capitol Park, including trees from around the world.

To Germany

Lion Slide Falls, California – Lion Slide Falls is a waterfall along Hatchet Creek near the town of Montgomery Creek, California. Known as a popular swimming hole in the summer, Hatchet Creek flows well throughout the year. The big log in the middle of the Lion Slide Falls is a “trademark” feature of this waterfall.

To Texas

Redwood National Park, California – Redwood National Park is home to the world’s tallest trees – icons that inspire visions of mist-laden primeval forests bordering crystal-clear streams. These trees are the tallest and one of the most massive tree species on Earth.

To Russia

Crystal Creek Falls, California – Crystal Creek Falls is a man-made waterfall that was formed when Crystal Creek was rerouted by the Bureau of Reclamation. The creek was moved about 50 feet to the left to make a shortcut over the cliff, creating this picturesque waterfall.

To Taiwan

Old Sacramento, California – The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum is a replica of one-room schools found throughout the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills during the latter half of the 19th century. Near the Schoolhouse Museum is the Tower Bridge; a vertical lift bridge that crosses the Sacramento River.

Postcrossing

I have recently been introduced to the idea of postcrossing. If you would like more info or would like to sign up, here’s the website: http://www.postcrossing.com/

I will utilize this site (along with facebook) to share with you all the joys of my travel, all from the comfort of my home. I will share postcards I send (along with telling you their destination) and will share postcards I receive (again, with their origin). Let’s travel the planet together … What do you say???

End of February Photo Challenge

Wow! I apologize for the long delay in posting. Let me finish up the end of the February photos for you.

Something Orange: This is a ceramic mushroom in one of my mother-in-law’s flower pot

Guilty Pleasure: These are a tempting treat when I’m shopping alone during any holiday

3 O’clock: During school days, I’m found outside doing “crosswalk duty”. On the weekends, I’m running around town, at my in-law’s house, or at home. (old photo taken by my husband)

Entrance: Welcome to my library!

Walking: Time to go home!

And here is everything put together …

Soft – Feb Photo

6. Soft: Take a photo of something deliciously soft.

What is softer and more amazing than cuddling with a soft kitty? Here, Sarabi tries to nap while I annoy her with camera flashes. But she is the softer of my two kitties so the obvious subject for today. Thanks for enduring it kitty! I promise – kitty cuddles later tonight as I fall asleep.