PLEASE NOTE

Mail typically takes 2-6 weeks (sometimes more, especially with the US) 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 months, so please be patient if you're waiting for a rating, or to receive something from me.

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.

STUFF I ENJOY RECEIVING:

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

FOOD I DON'T CARE FOR:

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. . .

• Koh Ker & Beng Melea (Feb 2012) - remote temples in the north of Cambodia.
• Indianapolis, Indiana (Jan 2012) - to visit my sister for a week.
• Banteay Chhmar temple (Sept 2012) - a very remote temple in the northwest of Cambodia known for its Community Based Tourism.
• 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
• 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.)