PLEASE NOTE

I will be away from my PO Box for 3 weeks (from 20 December, 2011 - 14 January, 2012). I will rate swaps ASAP after 14 January 2012.

Mail takes 2-6 weeks (sometimes more) to travel to/from Cambodia, depending on where it comes from/goes and what happens in transit. Recently things have been closer to 2-3 weeks, but some things may still take longer.

Thank you for your patience in receiving a rating from me, or if you are waiting to hear whether I have received your items if it's a private trade.

PLEASE DATE YOUR POSTCARDS

It helps me to have a better idea of transit time.

AND make sure you have the numbers written clearly for the PO Box: 7 NOT 1

Thank you!

I'm a native California girl, born and raised on the central coast, though I've also done a lot of international traveling/living, and am currently back living in Cambodia, my second home.

I am an English language teacher, but am involved in several organizations that are working to alleviate the affects of poverty on Cambodian people through education, job training and nutrition programs.

I promise to rate when I receive something from you. I also promise to send out all of my swaps. If there is ever an issue I will send a message to inform or to inquire. All I ask is the same of my partners.

When in doubt, ask.

I am generally an organized, linear person (or at least I like to think I am). I always say that I should have been a math major because my mind works in a more logical fashion, with occasional jaunts on the less-than-logical side. I do surprise people with out of the ordinary behavior or words that they didn't predict would come out of me. Hey, I gotta keep people on their toes!

I am also fairly active as a Couch Surfer where I have hosted people from all over the US and world when they travel. I discovered this organization while living in Cambodia and spend a great deal of time organizing meet-up events in Siem Reap for CouchSufers traveling through the town. It's a great way to meet people and encounter other cultures in a non-intimidating way, while breaking down the barriers of intolerance and ignorance at the same time.

GOOD NEWS! I've been back in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the home of Angkor Wat, since December 2010. I'll continue swapping, but on a limited basis. If anyone is interested in swapping exclusively with me while I'm there, please sign up for my group at Only in Cambodia.

STUFF I ENJOY RECEIVING:

• Silver stars, particularly sparkly stickers that are holographic; star-shaped ornaments; or just about anything with stars on it

• Recipes for stir-fry dishes or soups (because ovens are a rarity in Cambodia)

• Liquid ink highlighters; I'm pretty fond of the Tul brand, Sharpie, but just about any will be great; any color but yellow

• Postcards (see below for more info): famous places, funny pictures, maps, UNESCO, tourist spots, international, and more. Naked or in an envelope.

• I am interested in Kawaii/Sanrio/Hello Kitty stationary sets, notepads, or sticker items; I am new to collecting, so I'm not too picky about specific types

• post-it notes: LINED large or square size or cute shapes (e.g. stars)

• scents: jasmine (I'm particularly fond of the Bali Jasmine scent from Cost Plus World Market); cinnamon; apple/pumpkin spice

• 1 quart / 1 gallon Ziplock/Gladlock slide-close plastic bags. These are good for my travels to Cambodia.

• Things I collect for poor Cambodian villagers: toothbrushes, pencils, erasers, hotel/sample size shampoo, hotel sewing kits

• Alpha Beads & Laser Pointers for the Ponheary Ly Foundation where I volunteer to teach Cambodian public school primary teachers.

• Anything from my Etsy Favorites

FOOD/SNACKS I ENJOY:

The sweets: :: thick red licorice (no Twizzlers) :: rootbeer barrels :: orange slices (the candy) :: orange Tootsie roll pops :: Mentos :: Sour Patch Kids (I know, below I say I dislike sour things, but these are a vice)

Unfortunately all the meltable stuff is out of the picture while I'm in Southeast Asia (dark chocolate (non-Hersheys & the higher the percent of cocoa the better! i.e. 70%+) :: Junior Mints :: Ritter Sport chocolate (but no raisins!) :: soft homemade chococate chip cookies :: snickerdoodles)

Other not so sweet things: Cheetos :: Good Earth tea (sweet & spicy) :: English Breakfast tea :: PG Tipps / Tetley tea :: dry roasted & slightly salted almonds :: turkey jerky :: Crystal Light drink mixes in orange, white grape, pomegranate-cherry immunity ::

STUFF I DISLIKE:

• scrapbooking supplies since I DON'T enjoy this hobby; same with bits of ribbon and embellishments

• cutesy, girly things with lace, fringe, cartoon animals or baby animals, and pastel colors.

• dust collectors (e.g. things that sit on a shelf and collect dust).

• things that have too many colors; things with just the color purple (postcards are exempt).

FOOD THAT IS YUCKY TO ME:

black licorice :: sour candy :: gum :: white/milk chocolate :: anything blueberry/raspberry flavor :: chocolate with peanuts, crispies or raisins :: fruit-flavored herbal teas (except blackberry tea)

BLUE--just about any shade of it.

GREEN--particularly when it comes to nature prints or landscapes, or combined with blue.

RED--the Asian/Chinese red or a deep, dark red.

Even though I like most colors, purple by itself is NOT preferred. It's fine with other colors.

In order of most recent. . .

• Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana on a road trip in July 2011. Saw Yellowstone National Park, the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Wall Drugstore, The World's Largest Ball of Twine, The St. Louis Arch, and more!
• Bangkok & Chiang Mai, Thailand (Dec 2010 to visit a child I sponsor with Compassion)
• Eureka, California (have been many times, as family lives there, but most recently in November 2010.)
• Montara, California (to visit a former housemate and her new baby in July 2010)
• Taipei City, Taiwan (September 2009, 1 day layover from Cambodia to USA)
• Palos Verdes, California (May 2009, visited the Terranea Resort before construction was finished and open to the public. Awesome!)
• Santa Barbara, California (been there many times, but most recently to the zoo & State Street in Jan 2009)
• Santa Cruz, California (used to be my "2nd home" as I grew up visiting my mother's family there. Last time I was there was in March 2009.)
• Cambodia (Siem Reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kompong Thom, Koh Ker, Beng Melea, Phnom Kulen)
• Guatemala (Guatamala City & Antigua, December 2007)
• Birmingham, Alabama (October 2007)
• Reno & Carson City, Nevada, USA (My sister used to live there, but the last time I was there was in January 2007.)
• Vietnam (Hanoi, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City. August 2007.)
• Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Ko Samet, Aranyaprathet, Nong Khai)
• Malaysia (Georgetown, Penang; Kuala Lumpur, many times)
• Singapore (many times)
• Forrest Grove, Oregon, USA (only once in August 2004)
• China (Beijing, Shanghai & Inner Mongolia, lived there in 2002-03)
• Mexico (Ensenada, Tijuana, Cancun, Puerta Vallarta, Mazatlan. cruises mostly, but also served & translated in Ensenada)
• Alaska, USA (a cruise in 199?)
• Vancouver, B.C. (same cruise to Alaska)
• Ukraine (Kiev, Crimea)
• Germany (Hamburg & Lubeck, 1992 & 1993)
• Sweden (Malmo, 1992-93)
• Denmark (Bornholm, AFS 92-93)
• Rome, Italy (spring 1993)
• Bloomington, Illinois, USA (Urbana '93)
• Indianapolis, University of Indiana, USA (Phi Delta Kappa)
• Arizona, USA
• New York, USA (1992?)
• Pennsylvania, USA (1992?)
• New Jersey, USA (1992?)
• Washington D.C., USA (1992?)
• Maryland, USA (1992?)

The following items are things that I DO NOT NEED, and would prefer NOT to receive in a swap:

• paper scraps
• ribbons
• glitter or confetti
• craft supplies of any kind
• fruity teas
• pens
• milk or white chocolate, or any chocolate with fruit in it

PLEASE DATE YOUR POSTCARDS

It helps me to have a better idea of transit time.

AND make sure you have the numbers written clearly for the PO Box: 7 NOT 1

Thank you!

I have discovered (with the help of Swap-Bot) that I love sending and receiving postcards. I host many swaps, including the "Places I've Been" series, monthly postcards, and the colored postcard series, as well as being the founder of the Postcard Lovers group.

I thoroughly enjoy sending, receiving and trading postcards. I have access to lots of different postcards from Cambodia that I am willing to swap in private swaps: UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, other Angkor era temples, countryside life, life on the lake, etc.

I LOVE to receive postcards from your area, country or hometown that show scenery, landscapes or historical sites; vintage cards of anything; and most art cards. I even enjoy the occasional ad card if it's actually interesting.

I prefer the postcards I received to be stamped with a message written on them and sent through the postal system (i.e. naked). But, I don't mind if several are sent together in an envelope for my collection. Check with me 1st!

I would prefer NOT to receive a lot of handmade postcards unless they are artfully and tastefully created. I really like when you create a beautiful piece of artwork through painting or drawing or collage. Just don't paste a magazine cut-out on it and call it homemade. Again, check with me 1st.

US State Map Postcards I'm still looking for:

• Alabama
• Hawaii
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• Montana
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Wyoming

This is the disappointing part of Swap-Bot:

@seexlorvexrun - Places I've Been - Sept 2010

@Roosterruler - September Birthday Postcard

@Whiskey - Postcard Lovers: Upcycled Postcards

@karliskielty - Christmas Cards x 5 from the Newbie Niceties group. Bad Newbie!

@KnittingMystery - has disappeared leaving several swaps incomplete and 2 groups unattended.

Quartered Postcards #4

Recycled Postcard Swap #1 (she was the host!) angeled by @Vblarney

@SusanLS - Quartered Postcards #3 - angelled by @crochetninja

@Mrsswappie - US State by State postcards angelled by @Sapphyre

@southernsara - US State by State postcards angelled by @susieq11

@missarah01 - US State by State postcards angelled by @

@Fizbin - Theme a Day Journal angeled by @JoyAnne

@DutchTammie - DARK BLUE postcards angeled by @NaughtyElf

@duplessis3 - 090909 Postcard Swap

(There have been more, but I have only recently decided to start listing them.)

Send Angel postcards from Cambodia to:

@pennypuppy

@lanie206