Thursday, April 15, 2010

A Birthday Interview

Today my penpal from Rostock, Germany, celebrates her birthday. Her name is Anja, and she is a wonderful pen pal, one that I tell things I probably don't tell anyone else. For her birthday, I asked if she would be willing to submit to a blog interview, and she very graciously accepted.





Do you have any hobbies, and what are they?


Is shopping a hobby? (Of course!) I love to shop =) But apart from that I love designing and sewing my own dresses, going to concerts and other events, and when I find time I love to draw. (This) is Dog the Bounty Hunter...I love that show.


(This) was a birthday present for a 4 year old girl.



These were done "just out of boredom."

Personally, I think this one is absolutely adorable and definitely my favorite! Although, all of them are very good...I had no idea you were such a wonderful artist, Anja!


Do you collect anything?


I collect snowglobes, angels and postcards. To be honest, it's great to know someone who loves to receive postcards.
How many penpals do you have?


Well, right now I have just you. I had another penpal from Los Angeles, but we kinda lost contact. We talk frequently on facebook. I'm glad to have you as my penpal, although I consider you more my friend than just a penpal. It feels like I would know you forever, even though we've never met.

What do you enjoy about having penpals?

I just think it's exciting. Talking to someone who lives so far away. It is also a good way to learn about different cultures. And sending surprise packages is a huge plus. I think I enjoy it more sending them. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy getting one ;) I can't wait to finally meet you.

How did you become interested in writing to people around the world?

I don't know. All I know is that I had my first penpal when I was 15. She lived in Oregon, I guess. It was a program our local post office offered and I tried it. Well and I obviously fell in love with it. I think the penpal friendship with you is the longest I've ever had. And I'm glad about that.

Can you describe Rostock for us?

Oh my, I don't know where to start. Well, Rostock is at the Baltic sea and although we are the biggest city with about 200.000 habitants in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, we are not the capital city. Through Rostock flows the river "Warnow". It's an old, but beautiful city. We have the biggest Christmas market and the oldest University in northern Europe. The  number 7 is important for Rostock, because of it's seven churches, seven towers, seven gates, seven bridges, seven linden ... and so on. We have beautiful beaches and a 4 km long shopping mile. I could go on like this, but then you wouldn't have a reason to visit =) (Below) is a postcard of Rostock. It shows the city center and the river Warnow. and in the back it's hard to see is the Baltic sea. )

What is your favorite food?


Definitely my mom's cooking. One of my favourite foods is smoked pork chop with sauerkraut.

Favorite movie?

I love "Sabrina" with Audrey Hepburn. And so many other movies.

Favorite book?

I don't really have one, but the last good books I've read have to be the Twilight Saga.

What do you do on the weekends?

I spend time with the family. I don't get to see them that much during the week.

How many siblings do you have?

I have 4, but I only know two of them. My sister Katja, she is 25 and my brother Sven, he is 19. My two other siblings are boys, Nick and Tony (8 and 11, I guess)

(Below) is me with my sister




What do you want for your birthday?


All I wanted was a new phone and I already got that. ... but you can't be wrong with a new pair of shoes =)
(I hear you on that one!)


What do you do for a living?

I'm an Event Manager. I love organising all kinds of events. But most of all I love weddings.


If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I would love to live in London, Chicago, maybe New York. Well every US city would be fine by me. Although my mom wouldn't like that.


What is a pet peeve that you have?

My biggest pet peeve is people who think they can do what ever they want without any consequences.


Well, that's it! Thanks for doing this, Anja! Even I learned something new, and we've been writing to each other for a long time!

Have a fabulous birthday! I'll be toasting a cocktail to you here in the States!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

thank you for doing this. I feel honored =)
your friend Anaj

Judy in Indiana said...

How fun is this? I have had a pen pal since I was 14. His dad was in the military and he was in Germany. We met through the American service person's newspaper, the Stars and Stripes.

We are still in contact through facebook. He is Mormon, married with 6 kids now! We have never met.

Shoe Gal said...

First of all, it was my pleasure, Anja!

@Judy - It is a lot of fun! I enjoy it so much, and right now I take private German language lessons, so the writing with Anja helps to fill me in on current events and geography and such of Germany. Plus, I think she is a closer friend to me than most any other friends because she lives halfway around the world, so I can tell her anything. We have so many shared interests, too...it is awesome!

I'm glad you still keep in touch with your penpal...isn't Facebook wonderful?