Have a successful Year 2011!
Card from Alex, Russia
What a wonderful thing is the mail, capable of conveying across continents a warm human hand-clasp. ~Author Unknown
Friday, 31 December 2010
Things to do #3
Before I'm away doing my visits, preparing for the festive dinner and celebrating, I'd like to write the third part of the 'to do' list.
Today's list by #3 classicaces, Philippines:
- Listen to new music, something out of your taste.
I'm trying really hard to remember a genre I never listened to and that would be nice to listen this year and also out of my taste.
- Try photography with a simple point and shoot camera.
My camera is quite the point and shoot type (though a digital one), so this one could work out well.
- Do something out of character.
Have to wait for a good chance - or a chance to make a chance - to do something out of character. Thanks for a simple but great idea!
- Redecorate your place.
First have to get a place of my own to redecorate. :)
- Meet new people.
That's an easy thing to do :)
- Visit local places you haven't been to before.
Have to admit, though Latvia is a small country, I haven't been to a lot of places here.
- Cook a foreign dish (like Adobo!)
Sure, why not!
See wikipedia to know what adobo is :
Today's list by #3 classicaces, Philippines:
- Listen to new music, something out of your taste.
I'm trying really hard to remember a genre I never listened to and that would be nice to listen this year and also out of my taste.
- Try photography with a simple point and shoot camera.
My camera is quite the point and shoot type (though a digital one), so this one could work out well.
- Do something out of character.
Have to wait for a good chance - or a chance to make a chance - to do something out of character. Thanks for a simple but great idea!
- Redecorate your place.
First have to get a place of my own to redecorate. :)
- Meet new people.
That's an easy thing to do :)
- Visit local places you haven't been to before.
Have to admit, though Latvia is a small country, I haven't been to a lot of places here.
- Cook a foreign dish (like Adobo!)
Sure, why not!
See wikipedia to know what adobo is :
Thursday, 30 December 2010
Hong Kong: Tsing Ma Bridge
Tsing Ma Bridge, Lantau Link
At 2.2 km the bridge is the world's longest combined road and rail suspension bridge. It is designed to withstand 300 km/h winds and carries 6 lanes of traffic on the upper deck and 2 more lanes below for use in bad weather. The main span is 1,377 meters. The total length of the 160,000 km suspension cable wire is enough to circle the world four times.
At 2.2 km the bridge is the world's longest combined road and rail suspension bridge. It is designed to withstand 300 km/h winds and carries 6 lanes of traffic on the upper deck and 2 more lanes below for use in bad weather. The main span is 1,377 meters. The total length of the 160,000 km suspension cable wire is enough to circle the world four times.
Things to do #2
The second part of the list!
Today's list by #2 CatWoman, Italy:
- Start a diary, it will be fun to read as time passes...
I did written diaries before, but that is probably one of few things there are I'm not patient enough to do. And I did blogs about me and my life and those are one fun if no one is reading or commenting. So I'll just go with this cards blog for the following year. I'm at least happy enough to receive cards and upload pictures.
- Join a choir, no matter if you think you sing out of tune
Oh, I do sing out of tune, but at least I'm musically educated enough to know that. :) One of the best compliments I got from a friend that I have a beautiful voice when singing, so I might consider singing in a choir, if not doing any solos.
- Get a driving licence, if you are the right age
Already have one :P
- Start up a new collection
I already collect teddy bears and have a postcards collection as you see (with several types of cards I prefer the most and collect). And I'm probably starting a stamps collection, because I have a lot now and love getting beautiful ones. Any ideas for other collections?
- Read a lot of books!
I'm reading, I'm reading... ^__^
- Learn how to paint (if you can't do it already, of course...)
I did take some drawing and painting courses and would really love to re-learn watercolors. Starting some self-studies sometimes in January.
- Change something in your room
Unfortunately since I've returned from the dormitories I don't have a room of my own anymore, but I'd love Mucha and Hokusai/Hiroshige calendars and posters on the wall of the place I sleep at.
Today's list by #2 CatWoman, Italy:
- Start a diary, it will be fun to read as time passes...
I did written diaries before, but that is probably one of few things there are I'm not patient enough to do. And I did blogs about me and my life and those are one fun if no one is reading or commenting. So I'll just go with this cards blog for the following year. I'm at least happy enough to receive cards and upload pictures.
- Join a choir, no matter if you think you sing out of tune
Oh, I do sing out of tune, but at least I'm musically educated enough to know that. :) One of the best compliments I got from a friend that I have a beautiful voice when singing, so I might consider singing in a choir, if not doing any solos.
- Get a driving licence, if you are the right age
Already have one :P
- Start up a new collection
I already collect teddy bears and have a postcards collection as you see (with several types of cards I prefer the most and collect). And I'm probably starting a stamps collection, because I have a lot now and love getting beautiful ones. Any ideas for other collections?
- Read a lot of books!
I'm reading, I'm reading... ^__^
- Learn how to paint (if you can't do it already, of course...)
I did take some drawing and painting courses and would really love to re-learn watercolors. Starting some self-studies sometimes in January.
- Change something in your room
Unfortunately since I've returned from the dormitories I don't have a room of my own anymore, but I'd love Mucha and Hokusai/Hiroshige calendars and posters on the wall of the place I sleep at.
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Japan: More views
Some more view cards from Japan.
Shuri-jo castle festival, Naha, Okinawa. Photo by Kou Hateruma.
Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kyoto. Oku-no-in (Innermost shrine). Rebuilt in 1633.
Ninomaru tea house in Nagoya castle, Nagoya.
Japanese autumn is special because it's red autumn. The autumn here is golden and differs a lot.
Things to do #1
Hu-hu-hu... I'll start spamming now. >:D
First, I have some pictures of my postcards to update.
Second, one of the requirements to participate in my lottery was to give me 7 things to do in my next year. I'm going to do comments on those things. The whole list without repeated entries will follow on January 27. Hope you'll find something intersting to do for yourselves in it.
Today's list by #1 Lotty, Belgium:
- Write a book.
I'm doing a bachelor paper this year, does it count? :)
Actually, I have been writing one since school, but I don't have time to sit and think about it, to look for information etc. I do hope I'll have some time for it future like when I'm an old granny ^o^.
- Buy flowers for yourself.
A wonderful idea but it does feel ackward a bit. I never bought flowers for myself. And I'd love more if someone else gave flowers to me.
- Knit something for yourself.
I saw some great yarn at the shop so I really wanted to do something. A new scarf... I really want a knitted dress. Seems that I'll have this entry to do for next autumn.
- Try a new sport.
I'm not a sports person, so any sport would be new to me. I have a big wish to go skating either this winter or the next. And I'd love to do some dance courses.
- Go to a music festival.
Oh, we have a lot of those here in Latvia and Baltic states. :)
- Learn a new language.
Hard to choose what language I'd like to learn now. Probably Mandarin, Korean or Norewegian. But I'd really love to improve the ones that need improving.
- Learn to play an instrument.
I already play the piano. But learining something else like a recorder would be nice.
First, I have some pictures of my postcards to update.
Second, one of the requirements to participate in my lottery was to give me 7 things to do in my next year. I'm going to do comments on those things. The whole list without repeated entries will follow on January 27. Hope you'll find something intersting to do for yourselves in it.
Today's list by #1 Lotty, Belgium:
- Write a book.
I'm doing a bachelor paper this year, does it count? :)
Actually, I have been writing one since school, but I don't have time to sit and think about it, to look for information etc. I do hope I'll have some time for it future like when I'm an old granny ^o^.
- Buy flowers for yourself.
A wonderful idea but it does feel ackward a bit. I never bought flowers for myself. And I'd love more if someone else gave flowers to me.
- Knit something for yourself.
I saw some great yarn at the shop so I really wanted to do something. A new scarf... I really want a knitted dress. Seems that I'll have this entry to do for next autumn.
- Try a new sport.
I'm not a sports person, so any sport would be new to me. I have a big wish to go skating either this winter or the next. And I'd love to do some dance courses.
- Go to a music festival.
Oh, we have a lot of those here in Latvia and Baltic states. :)
- Learn a new language.
Hard to choose what language I'd like to learn now. Probably Mandarin, Korean or Norewegian. But I'd really love to improve the ones that need improving.
- Learn to play an instrument.
I already play the piano. But learining something else like a recorder would be nice.
Some thoughts
Santa wrote that she received and liked the postcard I've sent her. Feeling so happy!
It seems that on 3rd January, when our post offices start working again after the holidays, I'll be having troubles deciding which card is the first one of the year. Expecting a lot of packages, cards and official cards to come.
I'll be doing the rest of my sending on the 3rd, so please be patient with me.
As for now the holidays seem to be boring for me, a small family party at home and studies, studies... Wish you all to have a great party. As they say here 'You'll spend the next year the way your New Year's party was'. Or something like that.
Tons of snow out there falling from the skies...
It seems that on 3rd January, when our post offices start working again after the holidays, I'll be having troubles deciding which card is the first one of the year. Expecting a lot of packages, cards and official cards to come.
I'll be doing the rest of my sending on the 3rd, so please be patient with me.
As for now the holidays seem to be boring for me, a small family party at home and studies, studies... Wish you all to have a great party. As they say here 'You'll spend the next year the way your New Year's party was'. Or something like that.
Tons of snow out there falling from the skies...
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Birthday Lottery
I've decided to host my own lottery. The prize will be a postcard from Latvia.
To see the rules and sign up for the lottery click here.
I'll be posting the whole list of 'Things to do next year' and some of my comments here when the lottery is completed. Everyone is welcome to use the ideas. Enjoy and good luck!
To see the rules and sign up for the lottery click here.
I'll be posting the whole list of 'Things to do next year' and some of my comments here when the lottery is completed. Everyone is welcome to use the ideas. Enjoy and good luck!
Cherry Blossoms
I wish the snow outside my door would turn into mountains of cherry blossoms and rains of cherry blossoms falling from the skies...
By Ichiro Tanimoto.
Pattern cards
Last one for tonight. Or probably the first one for the coming morning, a flower print card from Japan.
The flower is called 'Asagao' [朝顔] in Japanese. 'Asa' [朝] means morning and 'Kao' [顔] means face. In English it would be Morning glory.
Here's the real flower... Lovely blue [or purple as in the card].
The flower is called 'Asagao' [朝顔] in Japanese. 'Asa' [朝] means morning and 'Kao' [顔] means face. In English it would be Morning glory.
Japan: Emaki
Another wonderful card I dot from my Japanese pen-pal. I'm really happy that I have it in my collection.
It shows a part of the Obusuma Saburo emaki - a narrative picture scroll of story about the warrior Osubuma Saburo and his brother. The story is from the 13th century, Kamakura period in Japanese history.
You can read the story and see the full emaki scroll here.
It shows a part of the Obusuma Saburo emaki - a narrative picture scroll of story about the warrior Osubuma Saburo and his brother. The story is from the 13th century, Kamakura period in Japanese history.
You can read the story and see the full emaki scroll here.
The ladies on this part of the scroll are wearing kimono with an incredible amount of layers.
I believe it's something similar to this:
Ukiyo-e II
Another set of my ukiyo-e cards in collection.
Beautiful work by Hiroshige.
It was quite a difficult task to find a picture of this card (still have no scanner) even in the Japanese Internet. If I couldn't read Japanese at all, it would be impossible. But luckily I can. Sorry for the small image, will upload a bigger one as soon as I can (as always T.T). [Update: as promised - here's a bigger picture]
Beautiful work by Hiroshige.
Utagawa Hiroshige. The 36 views of Mt. Fuji: Misaka Pass in Kai Province
歌川広重. 富士三十六景: 甲斐御坂越.
Kobayashi Kiyochika. Distant view of the Ichinohashi bridge at the bank of Sumida river.
小林 清親. 大川岸一之橋遠景
Katsushika Hokusai. Would translate it as "Spring view of two beauties".
葛飾 北斎. 春景二美人.
Monday, 27 December 2010
Lottery
Happy news, I won my first postcards lottery!
And will be getting a Tokyo Sky Tree postcard from Japan sometimes in January.
By the way, I've sent a postcard to Santa with a surprise inside. Hope she likes the card.
And will be getting a Tokyo Sky Tree postcard from Japan sometimes in January.
By the way, I've sent a postcard to Santa with a surprise inside. Hope she likes the card.
Moomin cards and Smalltalk
This morning I found a wonderful calendar card and lots of holiday greetings from my former roommate at the University - Santa. Thank you very much, it's a lovely card. I'll upload the picture as soon as I can.
Also, I'll be doing some sending today:
- Two official postcrossing cards to UK and Finland;
- An animal card to Ivana in Slovenia;
- A thank you package for the previous private swap and participating in my Traveling Notebook to Ying Ying in Hong Kong;
- Two more cards to Nan in China for an ukiyo-e cards swap.
Here are some more Moomin cards I have.
Also, I'll be doing some sending today:
- Two official postcrossing cards to UK and Finland;
- An animal card to Ivana in Slovenia;
- A thank you package for the previous private swap and participating in my Traveling Notebook to Ying Ying in Hong Kong;
- Two more cards to Nan in China for an ukiyo-e cards swap.
Here are some more Moomin cards I have.
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Japan: New Year and Sumo
Sumo competitions at New Year.
If I remember correctly, this tournament in January is held in the sumo hall, Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Ryōgoku, Tokyo. One of the six sumo tournaments that are held during the year.
If I remember correctly, this tournament in January is held in the sumo hall, Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Ryōgoku, Tokyo. One of the six sumo tournaments that are held during the year.
Japan: New Year and Maiko
Maiko cutting mochi at New Year celebrations in Gion, Kyoto.
Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. It's a traditional food for the Japanese New year.
Love the kimono, obi and the hair-ornaments the girls are wearing. :)
Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and molded into shape. It's a traditional food for the Japanese New year.
Love the kimono, obi and the hair-ornaments the girls are wearing. :)
Japan: Shibuya, Tokyo
A view of Shibuya district in Tokyo.
In the center the famous 109 (Ichi-maru-kyū) department store is seen. It is one of the Shibuya district symbols and appeared in many video games.
In the center the famous 109 (Ichi-maru-kyū) department store is seen. It is one of the Shibuya district symbols and appeared in many video games.
Japan: Asakusa, Tokyo
Card with a view of the Sensoji temple entrance at Asakusa.
Received from one of my pen-pals in Japan.
Received from one of my pen-pals in Japan.
Japan: Ukiyo-e cards
Found pictures of some Ukiyo-e cards I have in my collection. Showing all in one post.
Have two pieces of the first Hokusai.
Have two pieces of the first Hokusai.
Katsushika Hokusai. Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji: The great wave off Kanagawa.
葛飾 北斎. 富嶽三十六景: 神奈川沖浪裏
Katsushika Hokusai. Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji: South Wind, Clear Sky (Red Fuji)
葛飾 北斎. 富嶽三十六景: 凱風快晴
Utagawa Hiroshige. One Hundred Famous Views of Edo: Mikawa Island, Kanasugi, and Minowa.
歌川広重. 名所江戸百景: 蓑輪金杉三河しま.
Kitagawa Utamaro. 喜多川 歌麿
Kitagawa Utamaro. 喜多川 歌麿
Kitagawa Utamaro. 喜多川 歌麿
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Belarus: Minsk
Catholic church of Symon and Alena
Thank you, Olya!
There was also a quote from the film "Bright star"
- I almost wish we were butterflies and lived but three summer days - three such days with you I could fill with more delight than 50 common years could ever contain. [J. Keats]
Thank you, Olya!
- I almost wish we were butterflies and lived but three summer days - three such days with you I could fill with more delight than 50 common years could ever contain. [J. Keats]
Finland: Positive Moomin
"There's nothing more pleasant in the world than enjoying oneself and nothing is easier than that"
Australia: Uluru
A wonderful Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park card from Vicki, Hindmarsh Island.
Photo by Jeff Drewitz/Wildlight
Photo by Jeff Drewitz/Wildlight
Finland: Moomin from Helsinki
Thank you for another Moomin card from Anu & James, Helsinki.
Best wishes to you and your god-children.
Best wishes to you and your god-children.
Taiwan: Qing dinasty vase
In August I received this very big card from Kai-Jen, Taiwan.
Unfortunately the card got damaged a lot during its travel.
It's a Ming blue & white pear-shaped bottle vase, Yuhuchunping, Yougle period, China. 28 cm high.
Unfortunately the card got damaged a lot during its travel.
It's a Ming blue & white pear-shaped bottle vase, Yuhuchunping, Yougle period, China. 28 cm high.
United Kingdom: Welsh language
I did learn some very interesting facts with this postcard - artwork by Rupert Besley.
Many placenames in Wales start with LL, for example.
The tutor in the postcard is wearing the national costume.
Many placenames in Wales start with LL, for example.
The tutor in the postcard is wearing the national costume.
Some smalltalk
Ok, I'm going to take a small break and do some more talking without the pictures.
That was the last official postcard that I've posted chronologically, because I don't have all following cards scanned.
Now I'll be posting some more Postcrossing postcards without order and will add the rest of them when I have the pictures.
The same goes for the private swap cards, the cards I bought in other countries myself and the ones given to me by my friends.
I'll do everything in one go this evening, and, if I don't update for a while, that means I stopped receiving cards or don't have means to update.
That was the last official postcard that I've posted chronologically, because I don't have all following cards scanned.
Now I'll be posting some more Postcrossing postcards without order and will add the rest of them when I have the pictures.
The same goes for the private swap cards, the cards I bought in other countries myself and the ones given to me by my friends.
I'll do everything in one go this evening, and, if I don't update for a while, that means I stopped receiving cards or don't have means to update.
Germany: Bridge
This is a resent card, the first one came (yes it did!), but very very late.
I'll be posting the second card as well when I have the picture of it.
Thanks to Sonja from Leverkusen, Germany
I'll be posting the second card as well when I have the picture of it.
Taiwan: Calligraphy
A gorgeous "calligraphy" card from Ying-lung Lu, Taipei.
From collections of the National Palace Museum, Taiwan.
From collections of the National Palace Museum, Taiwan.
Finland: Moomin and flowers
Thanks to Tiina, who sent me another Moomin card for my collection.
With matching stamps!
With matching stamps!
China: Mountains
Something I find rude
I find rude sending me my first postcard from France that has nothing to do with France at all, quite a lame postcard by the way (not saying that the place on the card is bad), writing only "Happy Postcrossing" and asking to send a postcard back.
Norway: Molstertunet folk museium, Voss. Old farm buildings.
Netherlands: A lady in a typical dress
This card is of a lady in a typical dress from Volendam, Holland.
The necklace is quite impressing.
The necklace is quite impressing.
USA: Dickens
Another one of my favorites from Mary.
The card represents Charles Dickens, a famous English author (1812 - 1870). The photograph was taken in 1864.
Here's a quote from the card: "I never thought Charles Dickens should look so severe! Imagine all that talent locked up in anger."
Thank you for the wonderful big stamps: art by Robert Motherwell and Barnett Newmann.
The card represents Charles Dickens, a famous English author (1812 - 1870). The photograph was taken in 1864.
Here's a quote from the card: "I never thought Charles Dickens should look so severe! Imagine all that talent locked up in anger."
Thank you for the wonderful big stamps: art by Robert Motherwell and Barnett Newmann.
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