Sunny heart

CH-149695, Sender: Vre
Sent: 22 May 2013, Sent from Lucerne, Switzerland
Received: 5 June 2013, Traveled 10,458 km in 14 days

This is one of my most 'spirit-uplifting; smile-inducing' heart cards, officially received from postcrossing.com. I believe I mentioned in one of my previous posts that when it's summer in the other part of the globe, it's rainy and typhoon season for us. Hence, the choice of a sunflower heart card for today ... I miss the sun ... I miss my sunshine ... and eating sunflower seeds.

I'll keep this short, I got a terrible headache. It's a holiday tomorrow so I'm really drawn into my bed right now, thinking of a long sleep ahead.

Blessed and joyful celebrations of Eid Mubarak!

I'm sharing this post with Clytie's Guest Heart Thursday. Check out her page for more heart photos ;-) I'm honored that she featured on her page today the heart card I posted last week, I'm even more honored with the kind words she has for me. Thank you so much!! 

~maria

Nurture Love

FI-1636201, Sender: Irjak
Sent from Joensuu, Finland, Sent on 3 January 2013
Received on 24 January 2013, Traveled 8,636 km in 21 days
Find out more about the postcard @ ilustris.co.uk

We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant.

You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard

or think it's going to get on by itself.

You've got to keep watering it.

You've got to really look after it

and nurture it.

- John Lennon

I am happy that I find time to update this page...

This post is a submission for Clytie's Guest Heart Thursday. 

~ maria

Daddy Long Legs

Facebook Postcard Swap, Sender: Claire Pai
Sent from Taiwan, Sent on: 26 Aug 2012
Received on: 7 Sep 2012
Traveled 1,185 km in 12 days

“He and I always think the same things are funny, and that is such a lot; it's dreadful when two people's senses of humour are antagonistic. I don't believe there's any bridging that gulf!

And he is--Oh, well! He is just himself, and I miss him, and miss him, and miss him. 

The whole world seems empty and aching. 

I hate the moonlight because it's beautiful and he isn't here to see it with me. 

But maybe you've loved somebody, too, and you know? 

If you have, I don't need to explain; if you haven't, I can't explain.” 

-Jean Webster, Daddy Long Legs

This is one of my most beloved animated TV series. In a way I can relate to Judy, the protagonist of the story. Like her, I also chronicled my professional and personal growth in college (even until now, actually!) through writing. She did it through letters, I did it through emails. She had Jervis Pendleton; I had Elizabeth, my Dutch foster mom. Judy and Jervis shared a rather comical romance, I developed a quasi - daughter-mother relationship with my foster mom. Like Judy who had a sweet finish to her story, I hope I can also have a chance for a long-awaited meet-up with my Dutch mom. It has been more than 9 years of a relationship based on good faith for us -- email correspondence, photo sharing, I hope one day I can say 'thank you' to her in person.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, everyone!

~ maria

Golden Statues of Peterhof

These two golden statues are among the many that fill the imperial estate of Peterhof. Found in the UNESCO heritage site of St. Petersburg, Russia, Peterhof is also referred to as 'the Russian Versaille'. 

The construction of the majestic estate was commissioned by Peter the Great. Works began in 1714, to what was then known as Monplaisir -- 'my pleasure'. The way the imperial estate looks now is different to what it looked like in Peter's time though. A lot of additions were made by his granddaughter, Elizabeth of Russia, with the help of the Italian architect, Bartolomeo Rastrelli

Peterhof means Peter's Court in German. Such name was coined to the place during the World War II. The post-war name is Petrodvorets after the reconstruction, possible with 1,000 volunteers and military engineers in 1947.

~ maria

Facebook Postcard Swap, Sender: Veronika Doroshevich

Sent from Kirov, Russia, Traveled ~8,296 km for 30 days

Krakow, Poland

From the UNESCO website:

"The historic centre of Cracow, the former capital of Poland, is situated at the foot of the Royal Wawel Castle. The 13th-century merchants' town has Europe's largest market square and numerous historical houses, palaces and churches with their magnificent interiors. Further evidence of the town's fascinating history is provided by the remnants of the 14th-century fortifications and the medieval site of Kazimierz with its ancient synagogues in the southern part of town, Jagellonian University and the Gothic cathedral where the kings of Poland were buried."

The card was received in an envelope, February this year. It was a nice present from the mail at the end of my birth month :)

Have a great week everyone (despite the troubling heavy downpours here in Manila).

Hop on to Willa's page to check out more wonderful cards to brighten up your week, postcard lovers!

~maria