Hint: ​ I'm really in Germany, not in the USA or elsewhere :-) ​

When I joined Interpals, I had a different computer with a different IP address. I use different computers to log on here, depending on where I am, I sometimes use shared computers. I have been told by a couple of people now that my messages occasionally​ get marked as "possib​le scam" because of these different IP addresses. All I can do here is say that I'm *not* a scammer. But of course, it's up to you to believe that or not. Sorry, can't give you "proof"​ on that.

I'm generally patient and laid-back, and I try to look at things from different angles. I enjoy "smelli​ng the roses" and tend not to take things too seriously (not always easy, but you can certainly try!). It's not worth sweating the small stuff. Sometimes, though, I worry too much.

As for penpalling: I'm not looking for superficial contacts. I'm definitely in for the long haul - I have had penpals for 30 years now, and many of the friendships have lasted for 15-20 years now, so I know it's possible...

I'm a loyal person, and once I decide to correspond with someone, I'll do my best to establish a good friendship. Some contacts, though, just don't work out for one reason or another. So, although neither of us may *plan* not to continue the contact - it may sometimes just happen that we don't get on as well as we had hoped in the beginning. I'll let you know if I'm no longer interested in writing, and I hope you'll do the same - I don't think it's so great when people just disappear.

************​************​************​
************​************​************​
​ABSOLUTELY NO FRIEND REQUESTS FROM MEN!​

Guys, save your time and mine - I won't accept your requests, anyway.

Postal mail only - you know, letters on paper, sent off via postal mail, with stamps! If you'd like to discuss or recommend books - then e-mail is fine as well.

Looking for a few chatty, medium to long letter ladies who like to talk about this and that and won't get annoyed if I take a while to reply. I love writing (and receiving!) letters, but I do have a life, and sometimes it gets into the way. There are obligations,​ chores and activities that will keep me away from my mail sometimes - that's how it goes. It doesn't mean I don't *want* to write. It just means I'm busy at the moment.

Moms are very welcome to write. I don't have children myself, though, so if you mostly want to exchange stories about kids - that's going to be a little one-sided.

Please write a bit more than "hello,​ want to be pals" - a longer introduction​ (alternative​ly: an elaborate profile!) helps me to decide whether or not we'll get along. How will I get an idea about you if you don't tell me about yourself? I won't answer to short messages. It certainly helps if you speak either German or English well enough for a conversation​ that's beyond chatting about the weather :-) Really, it doesn't have to be flawless, but it's not so cool when you can't discuss anything deeper than that due to limited language knowledge.

I do not accept e-mail pals - sorry, that's not my way of communicatin​g. Not here for chat, either. It just does not work for me. I love real letters :-) Typed or handwritten - that's not important. As long as a letter is personal, I'll be happy. Exception: As I said before - if you want to discuss or recommend books or authors - messaging is fine with me :-)

For​ my penpals:​Sadly, postal service isn't as reliable as I would like it to be. So, if you haven't heard from me in a while and are wondering what's going on - please contact me. It might well be the case that a letter got lost (had that happening several times, unfortunatel​y!).

Ple​ase don't add me as a friend if we haven't talked before!​

Feel free to leave a message on my wall if you come by coincidental​ly and want to say hi :-) I always love to hear from people, especially if they have similar interests. Fellow Jane Austen lovers particularly​ welcome :-)

I speak English and German and can help with both. My French is down to the basics, and I'd like to brush it up, little by little. Anybody willing to help me with that would have to be very patient! So, a complete long letter in French would perhaps be too difficult, but single paragraphs are fine. I would respond in English or German, though - until I feel more confident to use my meagre French skills.

Hobbies and interests include - but are not limited to -
*snailmail (I also swap Friendship Books and decos),
*some crafts (want to learn how to knit socks this winter! Currently working on a scarf...)
*travelling,​
*reading,
*music,
*movies,
*yoga​ and meditation,
*some exercising (cycling, running, swimming - just for fun and keeping fit, not for competition)​,
*art and architecture​ (as you can easily guess, impressionis​m is one of my favourite schools of art!),
*nature and wildlife (and its preservation​),
*baking,
*meeting friends,
*social networking on the internet,
*more... just not enough time for everything that interests me!

Billy​ Joel,​ Queen, Beatles, 80s music, ethnic music, oldies, swing, jazz - whatever strikes my fancy! Not keen on rap, heavy metal or punk.

*When Harry met Sally,
*Love Actually,
*Bride & Prejudice,
*Chocolat, 
*Mamma Mia,
*Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
*Blues Brothers (the original with John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd!)
*StarWars (the original trilogy w/ Leia, Luke and Han)
*generally romantic comedies and period drama [adaptations​ of classics etc.], also some action (Indiana Jones!). Nothing gory and graphic :-) Some science fiction is fine with me (obviously),​ also some fantasy movies - though not my ultimate favourite genre.

Favourite actors include Johnny Depp, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Clint Eastwood, Cary Grant - actresses would be Meg Ryan, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn... - what a bizarre combination,​ huh!

I'm not all that much into watching TV and don't follow any shows on a regular basis these days. Generally, it seems that there's too much rubbish on, anyway - I have no time and patience for that! I enjoy good documentarie​s about all sorts of topics, though.

However - I think "M*A*S*H"​ is a fantastic series - Alan Alda is priceless. Also *confession!​* I loved the German lawyer series "Edel & Starck"​ - it's not on anymore, the series is finished, but I thought it was excellent...​ :-)

Also love some cartoons etc. The Peanuts are timeless, and I also like Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.

Just to name a few:
"Pride & Prejudice"​ and "Persuasion"​ by Jane Austen,
"Frederica"​ by Georgette Heyer,
"Adam Bede" by George Eliot,
"Asta's​ Book" by Barbara Vine,
"The Secret Years" and "All my sisters"​ by Judith Lennox, 
"A suitable boy" by Vikram Seth,
"Fungus​ the Bogeyman"​ by Raymond Briggs...
Lots of different things, as you can see!

From classical literature over children's books to non-fiction - whatever sparks my interest. Not keen on paranormal, horror or science fiction. In books, I prefer to stay in the world as it was or as it is now :-)

If life gives you a lemon - make lemonade :-)

Build bridges instead of walls, and you'll find a friend...

Hope for the best, expect the worst... and take it as it comes!

The early bird may catch the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!

If you're happy and you know it - clap your hands :-)

"Our deeds still travel with us from afar - and what we have been makes us who we are" (George Eliot)