An Update on Penpaling

So, I did join a penpal site or two and have found them to be quite an experience. Yes, there are a slew of people on some just wanting a marriage of convenience to become an American. Yes, there are also just creepy people out there wanting to see your pictures. In between all of that, there are some real charmers and some friendships that are budding into successful, lasting ones, if I do say so myself (and I do).

I've connected with both males and females all over the world, but predominantly Europe for the time being since that is where my trip is taking me next year. It's interesting to hear the opinions others have of America, and how unaligned they are with my own. Likewise, their tiny Irish and English towns are nothing special to them whereas they present such great beauty to me.

I've met a few folks from right here in the U.S. too. It really takes the pressure off of trying to meet new people locally. Sure, you can't go hang out with these people, but that's kind of the point. Deeper connections seem to be made when one writes; I've always known that though :)

My favorite site thus far is www.Interpals.com

Check it out. You won't be sorry.

XO

The Purpose of a Penpal

Alright… anyone who knows me is well aware that someday, mark my words, I’m moving to Europe, maybe lol. My obsession with the European culture is just short of a diagnosable illness. It routinely causes disorder in my life, causing me to engage in abrupt outbursts over things like genetically modified organisms and narrow-minded people who’ve never left their hometown, let alone the country. Don’t get me wrong, America is all fine and good for some things and I can appreciate the patriotism, but my soul has been in Europe my entire life. 

So I started thinking… if I were to up and transplant myself into European society right now, today, what would I be missing? Ummm… smaller furniture, an accent, shit— friends, mates, pals, chums! Admittedly, I know a few people in the EU scattered about from one country to the next, but not many, and none personally. Okay, maybe that’s not so true either. I know a few quite personally, due to regularly blasting our very private lives in our super-secret support groups and chat rooms online. That being said, I’ve still never met them in person, and wouldn’t recognize any of them if they were walking past me on the street. 

Point blank-I have a strong interest in other cultures, specifically European. Thus, I’m tackling a few websites today, scouring them for the potentially perfect long-distance chums for me. I need something new in my life. Being a busy working mother heading back to school, I haven’t much free time to go on grandiose adventures, so I look for them in flexible forms. I think getting to know someone new, who is alike to, but also different from me, might be just what I need. Wish me luck!