Been Thinking...
 

I think I've been the same lately with the brain working overtime and constantly thinking..

Those seem like interesting topics...which I imagine you could get a response/potential discussion on, so I think this forum is fine for that.

Penpals, I used to write letters to a friend I had as a child after we both left the school where we met. I never saw her again, but we exchanged letters until probably our teens, because of study taking up time, and then that switched to emails which we sort of briefly exchanged...nowadays she's one of my Facebook friends. The last time we communicated was with chat on Facebook. I think if it's someone you met in person before you had to part for whatever reason, then being penpals or as it is these days, online friends, it's ok. Having said that I do chat to people I meet online these days...Menewsha forums is one of the ways I do that. [:)] I wouldn't give my address for the purposes of exchanging letters with someone I haven't met in person though.

Might respond to the other topics another time....don't want this post to be too long...[lol]

Well see, I never get letters, and it kind of makes me sad. I really wish I could just have a hand written letter every now and then. I mean I suppose it would be better if I were to get a P.O. box if I were to send letters to penpals...

I don't get letters either anymore, unless it's a bill or from some sort of organisation. It is kind of sad, but times change and people much prefer cheap, almost free, and quick communication which usually means emails or Instant messaging generally.

I know. But honestly it doesn't cost much to mail a handwritten letter. Just a stamp and envelope.

I really wish I had one but I can't really find anyone who will D:

Being penpals sound easier than being e-mail pals. With email I always put off on replying. With physical mail I guess it's harder to ignore a reply. [lol]

I would have to agree I suppose.

I used to have a penpal, but e-mail is just much easier and more versatile. Especially if you also have online information about your penpal it's so easy to just contact them that way, and then you don't have much left to say in a letter that you haven't already said online.

Every once in a while, though, I'll mail a present to a friend who lives in another country and include a letter.

Oh, and internet shopping is awesome. <3 Not that I buy tons of stuff online, but there is just more to choose from. Most of the stuff I buy for my cat and bunnies comes from an online shop that's cheaper than any pet store around here and ships for free. Every once in a great while I'll order a piece of clothing or a book from somewhere, and I like looking at 2nd-hand websites just to see what people are selling and if there's anything from my wishlist on there.

I never have had a penpal. I guess that's why I want one so bad. But to me online talking isn't anything like writing a letter. Letters to me are treasured, because they took that time out of their day to write you back, by hand. It has more meaning now because everyone does only write online. Which is upsetting! I mean that's just my own opinion.

I've never gotten presents in the mail either XD I don't really get much from anybody because I tell them that if they don't know what to get me then don't get anything at all. I suppose people don't understand I would be content just getting a keychain or something "stupid" to them... because at least I knew that when they saw it, they thought of me.

I've never tried online shopping. I'm always broke or when I'm not broke I'm always afraid that it's not a reliable site! Like, how does one know they wont take your information and use it or sell it to other companies? (Several sites do that.)

I like writing and receiving hand written letters too...I haven't done that in ages though...

It's sad I think. I mean I believe more people should do it!

It's kind of scary to think that the next generation might not be able to hand write neatly, or well, because of lack of practice, due to typing everything.

This is also true.
I know people my age that have atrocious handwriting.

Actually my handwriting has gotten a lot worse in terms of appearance over the years...I went from being a kid who wrote slowly, clearly and very neat, to an adult who writes speedily, and very messy looking words which sometimes only I can read. I can still do the slow, neat handwriting if I take the time, but I suppose it's not how I instinctively choose to write anymore.

Mine has gotten prettier, though it's probably because I write in a journal...

I write in a journal/diary too...have a whole shelf full of them actually because I used to keep filling up the notebooks I'd write in. I admit I don't write in it as often these days so it's taken me a few years to fill up the last volume. but actually it's because I keep them all together that I'm able to see the evolution (or de evolution) of my handwriting....

I don't think not being able to write neatly has a lot to do with lack of practice. If that were the case, I would be writing calligraphy after the sick amounts of pages I wrote in university, but instead I write really irregularly.

What I do find scary, though, is that kids pick up netspeak and use it in written text. Kids that actually write "u" instead of "you", "omg", "rite" instead of "right"...

Penpals seem like a fun idea. As a pro it's nice to draw away from technology and do something like write a letter. I think it helps people become more thoughtful and make a stronger more personal connection with someone. However, it s a scary world we live in and I wouldn't be very keen on someone else having my address. Not in this age of identity theft and such. Which is sad...

Family: I have two brothers. My mother is the rock of the family. my dad is kind of outcasted. Aside from things with my dad, we're all pretty close with each other.

Jobs: I am a graphic designer for the Student Recreation and Fitness Center for my alma mater. I think in general its hard for people to get jobs because there are so many people and not enough jobs to go around. There are also more and more requirements being tagged on to eery job out there. Even entry level positions want around 5 years of experience, which means a college grad will have to have been interning IN their field during their entire college experience in order to stand a chance. And, if you've ever done full time school, doing that burns out a student quickly. I think the factor that is most detrimental is actually people themselves. People with masters are so willing to settle for entry level because they need to survive just like anyone else. But, that makes it harder for everyone as a whole because companies are well aware of it.

Internet Shopping: I love and hate internet shopping. My fiance works retail and I know stores can't beat internet pricing. Its led to cutbacks, store closures, insane policies made up just to keep staff low. But I get it. who wouldn't want to save money? Even my fiance and I will buy online for most things. I will not buy clothes online. Only because clothes are weird. You just have to try them on. Something that looks nice on a hanger or mannequin doesn't always fit right or fall right or look right on everyone. And returning things is a hassle.

Oh dear, I hadn't thought of that, the whole abbreviation netspeak acronym talk..might be ok online in chats and forums but certainly not any proper writing. Handwriting those seems really odd to me.

I've always wanted a penpal. As a child, my parents would never let me have one because they always said it was bad to share one's address with strangers. I guess that carried on into my adulthood, as I'd rather not give my address to "strangers"; but at the same time I keep putting off getting a PO box.


I work at a small web development company. I used to do SEO and SEM, but now I'm mostly manage client websites. I also volunteer with a disability self-advocacy group not only as an activist, but as their photographer and historian.
For me at least, why it's so hard to get a job is because I'm not used to interviews anymore xD


I prefer buying locally than buying online, but I'll buy online when I have to. I mainly use Amazon, but I still use ebay.

I've never had a pen pal, but I would like to write letters. I've bought myself this really cute stationary that has little sheeps on it. But of course it's completely untouched. I still keeping it for any reason to write a letter. I feel like I wouldn't be interesting enough to have a pen pal. [gonk]

I have an older sister. My family is close and fun with minus one.

My job is a full time student. I've never had a job (yet) only because my mother wants me to focus on my education.

I also really like online shopping. I do it a lot. I usually shop for accessories or clothing that's from overseas. I like to try on things though too because sometimes it's better safe than sorry like shoes. I have made mistakes buying something that's in a small where I needed it in an xs.

The best buys had to be stores from China/Japan. I like getting clothing that (quite honestly) no one else will get. I bought a super cheap (and cheaply made) purse for $15 and it's the most complemented thing I ever get. The zipper has came undone like a bazillion times but people love it and I do too. :B

Would love penpals! But you know why there aren't many Middle Eastern penpalers? BECAUSE THERE ARE NO ADDRESSES HERE. Seriously. >.<

I did maintain a snail mail correspondence with my friends when I moved away to a different part of the country back in Australia even though we still talked online. Having something physical goes a long way.

hey Ashtyn Leigh!
i would love to talk about stuff with you. I love my new job, i wish it paid more... but other then that its awesome. days, sitting, nice people, great management, the work itself is actually kind fun. On Friday I found a unicorn in a map i was looking at. and a month ago we found a teddy bear in a map of a subdivision. But it took me a year of applying to jobs before I got this one and i am still not really in my field.
I think it is so hard to get a job right now for many reasons and i think the reasons change regionally. Around where i live there is a very high concentration of educated graduates. For southern Ontario, for example, the percentage of young professionals who are underpaid or unemployed is something above 80%. I am part of that 80%, but at least I'm part of the underpaid and not the unemployed. and at least i like my job... so it could be much much worse.

how about you?

My immediate family are all I see on a regular basis, and because my brother moved out, got married and has kids and is busy I sometimes don't even see him that often. Immediate family is small, just the four of us and now my sister-in-law and the twins (kids) too...but my extended family is huge. I have family in Cambodia, Macau, Germany and one cousin who has a family, in Canada. And another in the USA. Those are only the family members I'm aware of...and really they're not that distantly related in terms of blood.

I'm a uni student at present, that's my main occupation, had brief jobs in the past though, but mainly for experience and extra money.

I think it is hard to get a job these days because there is competition for positions, depending on industry, many sectors are also cutting back on workers, for manufacturing, the positions are taken to third world countries or China where the owners can pay the workers a lot less for the same output. In jobs that need to be done locally, even those are sometimes outsourced to overseas workers who come for that period that the work needs to be done, and then go back when work is completed, I'm thinking here of work like roadworks and construction. For other jobs, it's like 'you need at least so many years of experience in relevant area or such and such qualifications'.

Hrm...I hardly ever buy stuff online, but the last thing I purchased that I can remember is screen protectors for my mobile phone. I think I'll leave pros and cons for next time.

I don't have a job, I need to get one but I have serious commitment issues unfortunately... What exactly is a unicorn map?

I should get a job but I fail majorly at that it seems. College drop out and what not.

I don't really know how to reply to all that XD
Basically I think that jobs are hard to get anywhere.
Ummmmm I don't know! [gonk] I feel dumb.

What the what? How do you get mail? That makes no sense to me!!!

I think everyone can be a penpal, but honestly I don't know what to say to that either XD I think just writing and stuff makes a person interesting in it's own.
I have three sisters and a baby brother, the youngest sister is adopted...

I should go back to college but I owe 1400 before I can go anywhere else...

I've never shopped online. I wouldn't even know what sites to use or what product is better to buy than others. I alwaays wanted to go and buy stuff from etsy.