Correspondence Friday

I've developed some this past year:  I've succumbed to my night owl proclivities of staying up late and sleeping late, I head to Queenstown on an almost bi-weekly basis, and I indulge in ciders in the sun in the middle of the day in the Octagon.  However, my favorite new habit is what I call Correspondence Friday.  This developed over a period of several weeks last year, promising to get up early and buy Shaz an almond croissant from the Friday Shop.  After failing in this endeavor numerous times (they sell out quick! You have to be there before 9am and even by 8:30 you're pushing your luck...and that's early for me), I finally started setting my alarm and actually getting up in time to procure two almond croissants.  

Once I started to succeed in literally buying Shaz's affection with pastry goodness, I began to bring postcards with me to write to Ausgang (my friend from college who was in the Peace Corps).  But one postcard each week fills up too quickly so I bought a big writing pad and envelopes and every week I choose someone different to write to.  Theoretically I should have updated my blog every week so everyone hears about what's going on in my Kiwi life... but I love writing in cursive!  So, Shaz makes me a soy flat white (or two or three) and I sit at the bar and write postcards and letters to whomever comes to mind that can read my cursive.

I love correspondence Friday.  After years of practice writing novella-length notes in High School and actual letters to Christy in college, I've honed my letter writing skills.  I get heaps of comments about how I must be the last person on the planet to write letters, but they're so much fun!  And who doesn't like to receive mail that's not business or bill related?  My mum has written me letters every month or so since I started college and it's lovely to receive them, even if I speak with her between letters and hear about the contents a couple times (don't stop though, Mum!!!).  I've also started writing with my grandparents as well and I consider my Memere my new pen pal... speaking of which I owe her another letter!  I think between Laura's postcards and my letters we've kept the international New Zealand post in business for the past 2 years.

I took a break from correspondence Friday over Christmas and New Years but that was mainly because the Friday Shop was closed and to be completely honest, if there's not an almond croissant in it for me, it's not worth it to get up before noon.  I'm trying to inspire people to join me in my correspondence endeavor and a couple of times I've succeeded convincing a couple friends to get up early for pastry and coffee.  They haven't written any letters yet, but I'm just as happy to chat instead.  Chatting is a form of correspondence too, no?

Regardless, while I'm waiting to get Christmas and New Years pictures from other people, I figured I'd fill you in on my new (since several months ago) favorite pastime.  If you're keen to get a postcard or letter just give me your snail mail addy in the comments!