The Magnetic Door:

San Pedro de Atacama

2009-04-15T22:02:00.000-07:00

My friend Crystal took an amazing trip to Chile in February! Sun and the world's driest desert ranked #1 for places she visited while there!!! Check it out:

Pura Vida!

2008-12-04T19:30:00.000-08:00

Alas, I have return. I will get my act in gear and post all the beautiful postcards I continue to receive! Today's installment is from Costa Rica! Megan & William went on a FAM with my company; they had a wonderful time, and they sent me a postcard each. There are so many places I want to see, but you wouldn't have to twist my arm to make me go back to warm, rainy, and green Costa Rica.

PURA VIDA!

Side Note: I received William's almost two weeks ago, and Megan's was received yesterday!

Another Update on My Laziness

2008-09-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

I must apologize for my lack of posts. We went through a dry spell with internet, and I am now proud to announce that the internet has been found and I am back in business. I will start back up and get this blog back in shape. I would hate for my dear postcard senders to think I do not appreciate the lovely postcards I have been receiving because I love them (and you!)!!

Stay tuned - more postcards to follow.

Valpariso, Chile

2008-06-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

Ms Emiko wins most faithful postcard sender award! Since I told Emiko about my collection, she has sent me a postcard since she has arrived in Ecuador. I am however using that one as a bookmark and don't feel like scanning it yet, but it must be my favorite so far. Here is one from her travels in Chile.

National Geographic Article

2008-06-02T20:42:00.000-07:00

I went to the airport to meet Mark; he was flying in from the east coast. I was in the mood for a magazine and happened upon this fine zine: National Geographic. Mainly because of the new Stonehenge hoop-la. However, I found this short piece and of course must share:

My Favorite Summer Vacation Spot in the US: Ocean Isle Beach, NC

2008-05-04T11:44:00.000-07:00

Every year my family goes to Ocean Isle Beach, NC. The water is so warm, and the beach is not too crowded. Mark and I have recently started going, but there were a few years that I was not there to party... counting down the days till this summer!

Peru

2008-05-04T11:35:00.000-07:00

I have a new recruit: Emiko. She is on a one woman adventure through Central & South America. She has a wonderful blog on myspace about her travels, which I thoroughly enjoy.

More Klee

2008-05-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

Here is one more:

Klee

2008-05-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

I picked these cards up at the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern. They are copies of his work, that I saw in my brief visit.

Update on My Laziness

2008-05-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

I have been a dweeb, and have not been updating my blog. This morning, I scanned many postcards to be added so please forgive the flood.

New for format: I am only going to scan the front of the postcards. I hope you do not hate me. It just takes so long to clean up the back. If you really miss it, let me know and I can add them back.

Freiburg

2008-02-29T18:49:00.000-08:00

Along the way Megan also went to Freiburg. Why are European cities so beautiful? They have something, they have a character that American cities lack...

That is not to say that American cities are not amazing in their individual ways. Maybe it is the history behind European cities? American cities are still so young in comparison.

ps. i love the little German boys on these stamps!

Amsterdam

2008-02-29T18:40:00.000-08:00

The word is out ~ send Alia your postcards! Not only will they make my magnetic door so beautiful, but the rest of the world wide web can share in your adventures!!

My friend and co-worker has been busy a traveling this year around Europe, and on her most recent trip she visited Amsterdam. (I wanted her to go to Basel, but she didn't listen to me - next time, right?)

The only down side to all these beautiful postcards is that the list of places I want to go just keeps expanding. One of these days I will pick up and not return for a couple of years! Enjoy!!

Best Birthday Wish Ever!

2008-02-16T17:18:00.000-08:00

This year, as every year, I was/am a lucky girl with friends and family sending birthday wishes and love from all corners of the continent. The most wonderful birthday wish was from my best friend Karolina. We have an on-going problem of never getting either's birthday present in the mail in time for our actual birthday, but this year KG was on top of it and her's was the first present I opened on my actual birthday.

**with permission, I am sharing her awesome birthday wish**

Espana

2008-02-10T22:56:00.001-08:00

Dorit's adventures led her to Spain and indirectly to this amazing postcard. Can you spot Mark?

Chicago: Part Three

2008-02-10T22:50:00.001-08:00

Karolina sent this to me when she first moved out to Chicago. I would love to go back and visit with kg again. Although delays in flights can be a pain in the ass - I was lucky to get stuck in Chicago on the way back to Portland in January.

Belize

2008-02-10T20:50:00.000-08:00

I went to Belize in October 04 for a work trip. We went all over the Cayo District and several of the beach areas. This was my first trip to Central America and I had no idea what to expect. I absolutely loved Belize! Jungle and clear blue ocean. The country and people were beautiful and warm. The food was amazing! And, of course Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce.

The Postcard

2008-02-06T22:27:00.000-08:00

The United Postal Service defines a postcard as:
rectangular, at least 3-½ inches high x 5 inches long x .007 inch thick
and no more than 4-¼ inches high x 6 inches long x .016 inches thick.

Deltiology is the study and collection of postcards. Compared to philately, the identification of a postcard's place and time of production can often be an impossible task because postcards, unlike stamps, are produced in a decentralised, unregulated manner. For this reason, serious collectors may choose to limit their acquisitions to cards by specific artists and publishers, or by time and location.

Philately is the study of revenue and postage stamps. This includes the design, production and uses of stamps after they are authorized for issue, usually by government authorities, the most common one being postal authorities. Although many equate it with stamp collecting, it is a distinct activity. For instance, philatelists will study extremely rare stamps without expecting to own copies of them, whether because of cost, or because the sole survivors are in museums. Conversely, stamp collecting is the acquisition of stamps, at times without regard for origin or usage.

I decided to look up postcard. I just linked from definition to definition - it was interesting to just read these bites. Thank you information super highway.

New York, New York

2008-02-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I went to NYC for work.
It was a sweet deal because I got to visit the family
a little and spend some time in the city.
I sent this to Mark while I was out there.

More Chicago

2008-02-05T20:29:00.000-08:00

My best friend moved to Chicago for grad school. I was finally able to visit her - the prior post - but prior to this she has sent me some fun postcards. These are two that I have received from her. If you have not been to Chicago, you should plan a trip. There is a lot to see, do and eat!!

Chicago

2008-02-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

This May I visited my friend Karolina.
I had a blast with her and Melissa.
I sent this to Mark after I visited the Art Institute.

Corfu

2008-02-04T21:24:00.001-08:00

Ah - the blue Mediterranean. I could handle that for a week or two or three...

Japan

2008-02-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

This summer my friend Michelle went to Japan. I really like this postcard, it is one of my favorites.

Philadelphia

2008-02-04T21:18:00.000-08:00

Just a note to say hello from Janene.

Guatemala: Part II

2008-02-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

While Dorit was in Xela this summer I received another woman carrying two tons on her head. Talk about good posture and balance.

Guatemala: Part I

2008-02-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

Do you think you could carry a 5 lb bag of potatoes on your head? More love from Dorit in Guatemala.

Hawaii

2008-02-04T19:05:00.000-08:00

Aloha! Dorit wanders far and wide...

Lugano

2008-02-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

This fall I went to Switzerland for my company. As usual the trip flew by and I wanted to stay longer. I sent Mark this postcard from Lugano - It works because it is Swiss, but has the flavor of Italy!

Tuckaleechee Caverns

2008-02-03T23:30:00.000-08:00

My stepmother, Claudia, went to Tennessee this fall with her sisters to celebrate Tammy's birthday! She sent me this postcard from the Great Smokey Mountains.

History of Texas

2008-02-03T23:19:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving, Goldie visited Adam's home in Dallas. I love this postcard because it's title is the history of Texas, but it doesn't tell me it. Oh well, good thing I know the real story.

Also, a favorite because of the lovely words that found my eyes.

Arenal Volcano

2008-02-03T23:13:00.001-08:00

I received this postcard
from my father when he,
claudia and the rest of the
crew were in costa rica!
PURA VIDA!!

The Beginning

2008-02-03T23:03:00.000-08:00

At the end of last year, I was talking with my friend Goldie about making a blog of all the postcards that I have received. They are enough to cover most of the magnetic door that is the entrance to my apartment. They are from family and friends. Each one is a story that has made its' way to me - from other states, countries and continents.
I have decided to go one by one and scan them to post on a blog. I think that postcards are wonderful bits of mail that do not always get sent but mean the most when they do. I picture the place and take a quick break to the ones that find my mailbox.
I do not plan on posting them in chronological order because I must confess I have not kept track, but the stamps should place them somewhere. I have also blurred out most of the text because not all needs to be shared on the information super highway. Please enjoy my collection! When I get my act together I would like to have others contribute theirs for all to enjoy.

Sweet Dreams,
Alia