rsilvers

I'm Raven. I'm a university student with a background in advertising and public relations, so I have a big soft spot for adverts.

I live in Singapore, which is not a part of China. (: I speak English, Mandarin and basic German (ein bissen).

My birthday is in October, so if you happen to be sending me a swap around then, I don't mind birthday greetings!

I write books. I've taken part in National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) for several years now and I absolutely love the rush and creativity of that frantic month. I also write fiction in my free time, not just in November.

HAZE UPDATE (17.06.2013): We're in the middle of a particularly bad haze season. I'm trying my best to make sure any outgoing mail doesn't smell like smoke, but I can't guarantee there won't be a lingering smoky smell because the entire region is really badly affected. I'm really sorry :/

Oh, where do I start...

I get very attached to my TV shows, haha. I like British shows - the BBC has a way of making really compelling telly.

• Science fiction: Doctor Who, Torchwood, Star Trek (especially The Next Generation and Voyager)
• Drama: Mad Men
• Crime shows: NCIS, Bones, Finder, Hustle, Sherlock (the BBC one with Benedict Cumerbatch)
• Comedy: Community, Big Bang Theory
• Factual: Top Gear, QI, Mythbusters

I like a LOT of shows, but that's a sampler of what I'm really in love with right now.

► Postcards

Please send naked, written on, and dated. I like all sorts of cards, but I'm looking out for the following:

◇ Penguin book covers

◇ Comics, like DC or Marvel

◇ Humor

◇ Sarcastic / snarky - I'm not easily offended so snark like Anne Taintor is perfectly okay :D

◇ Animals (illustrated, photograph, whatever!)

◇ Where's Wally

◇ Touristy is fine (the less cheesy, the better!)

◇ Ad cards

◇ Special events like the Olympics, Expo, etc.

◇ Gotochi postcards from Japan, or gotochi-type postcards from other places

◇ London Tube posters, maps, and so on

► Postage Stamps

I like all kinds of stamps, but my favorites are:

◇ Space

◇ US commemorative stamps

◇ UK stamps: looking for the space stamps, Doctor Who, trains/Underground

◇ Soviet Union (also known as CCCP or USSR) stamps

◇ the Doctor Who stamps from Royal Mail!!!

◇ Disney

I really enjoy swapping tea because I love the variety that's out there!

✿ Please only send factory-sealed tea bags which are original packaging (like a foil or paper packet). I don't drink tea bags without an original packet cos of hygiene reasons.

✿ Don't send me loose tea, even if you've packed them into teabags yourself. I like loose tea, but the postal customs don't and it won't arrive ):

✿ I don't like mint teas, but other than that, go for it!

✿ My favorite teas so far: Cupcake teas, berry teas, and chai.

♥ Stories - Tell me about yourself and your town/city/country! Everyone has a fascinating story to tell

♥ Postage stamps

♥ Aerogrammes - I love these!

♥ I love the blue-red-white airmail motif!

♥ Photography - I dabble in a bit of digital and analog photography (Lomography). I like old cameras too

♥ Postcards - see the section above for more info!

♥ Letters - I always prefer handwritten/typewritten over printed

♥ Washi tape

♥ Cartoons

♥ Disney and Disneyland - I've been to the ones in Hong Kong and Japan, and absolutely love all three

♥ Animals - I especially love cats, dogs (corgis and bulldogs rule), otters, pigs

♥ Art and graphic design - I adore Art Nouveau and Art Deco

♥ Gaming and cosplay - I do both!

♥ Cute things (not necessarily kawaii)

♥ History

♥ Space - I love anything space and space-related, because I think it is a testament to human ingenuinity, spirit, determination and curiosity that we are able to go beyond our planet and into the unknown.

♥ Libraries

♥ Favorite writers include Frank Herbert, Terry Pratchett, PG Wodehouse, Neil Gaimain, Jim Butcher, Gail Carriger, and Anthony Bourdain

♥ Favorite genres - Steampunk, fantasy, science fiction

♥ Colors - Orange, lime green, purple, red, blue

♥ Tea

♥ Anything UK, especially with the Union Jack and "Keep Calm and Carry On"

♥ Vintage things - cameras, typewriters, signs, etc.

♥ Star Trek - I grew up on a diet of science fiction, largely Star Trek

♥ Lanyards - I collect printed lanyards. I like all lanyards, but I especially like events or company lanyards

♥ World festivals - of those we celebrate here, my favorites are Chinese New Year and Christmas, but I'd love to learn about other festivals out there

✗ Scary insects

✗ Butterflies (I have a phobia)

✗ Excessive amounts of pink

✗ Glitter - I really, really, really hate glitter. I can't stand it. I cannot emphasize enough my dislike for glitter.

✗ Religious items, except for Christmas. I'm totally okay with "Merry Christmas" as a greeting cos it's not really a religious thing here.

► Allergies: I'm asthmatic, but it's under control. I only have to worry about smoke. Mostly cigarettes.

► Religion: You may have a religion, and I think that's great! If you would like to share some of your customs and practices, I don't mind. However, please understand that I think religion is a private thing that is very personal.

► Postal Limitations: Please don't send items that look like weapons. If you would like to send something that may be somewhat explicit or not safe for work, please use an envelope that can't be seen through.

You can find more information on postal limitations here.

Generally we have quite an efficient post service in Singapore, but when they mess up, it can be quite spectacular. And not in a fun way ):

So if you haven't received an item from me after a long while (generally two months or more), let me know and I will gladly re-send it!