I won't bore you with how I think I'm old fashioned. I won't say how terribly interesting it is to take things to a building, say a few words to a person, and have said things arrive at their respective destinations across the globe. I certainly won't toot my own horn and say how much of a clever person I am for going below and beyond blinking beeping electronic social media to share a story with someone. But I will say that it's PRETTY NEAT!
When it comes to doing neat things that help you be the best you, everyone is different. Some people enjoy painting, some like to jog, some like to meditate. I write to have fun, connect with my friends, and share dumb, embarrassing and neat stories (Like when you get your student's reading prizes stuck in the laminator, jamming it to the frustration of your class & all your coworkers).
If this sounds neat to you, I warmly invite you to take up the pen (or perhaps the keyboard). Sometimes the writing flows smoothly, sometimes it gets stuck in a rut and you don't know what to do. Don't be discouraged, get some pizza and come back to it tomorrow. Aside from increased pizza intake, here's what you mind find about writing.The Downsides:I realize that we live in the 21st century, where wi-fi waves, robotic delivery drones, and internet-ordered pizza rules over our lives with an iron fist of convenience. If you're going to write a letter to someone, you're going to need all the gear, a good chunk of time, and the ability to make conversation on your own (not just reposting the buzzfeed articles and political videos that seem to jam up the tubes of our newsfeeds). Like I said, it's not for everyone, but if you think you can handle those things, continue right on to...
The Upsides:
Taking yourself away from the hustle, the glaring lights and the constant "MISTER STUART BILLY ATE MY ERASER AGAIN" noises that emit from day-to-day life and echo in my head. It's pretty therapeutic, when you make time for it. Writing in your It also makes (in the words of Dr. Steve Brule) 'the lonely times not so awful'. Did I mention how incredibly NEAT it is to get letters in return? Most people are considerate enough to return the sentiment and send you a letter of your own. This results in the feeling of coming home from work/school/the nearest Mexican restaurant (probably in a hurry) and finding that there is a letter in your mailbox. A LETTER. Written in INK. With YOUR name scribbled on the front. I almost always exclaim "OH BOY" every time I find something on the school reception desk for me.
If you'd to do it yourself:In the scenario that you consider yourself an interesting and literate person, you'll need a bit of gear to start. Notably, you'll need a package of envelopes, a notepad and a decent pen (they sell these things at stores, the buildings where you can pick out what you want before bringing it to the front and giving the nice fellow/lady some money). A little pro-tip; get yourself a pen with a 1.0 MM point, that means the ball at the end is a little bigger and will glide over the paper with all the smoothness and grace you'd expect from one of my antiquated Mercedes. Gel pen is pretty nice as long as your letters don't fall into Hong Kong Bay with the rest of your valuables. But since you're probably not as hopeless as I am, that advice is likely not applicable.
That's about it, you're set! Now it's just a matter of putting words on the paper (bonus points for adding rough pictures, enthusiastic all-capital phrases, and your own fancy signature). And, of course, if you want to return the sentiment and send something my way, you are MORE than welcome to do so. Here's where your things should end up: (the C/O Means CARE OF. Because they employ me and my apartment mailbox keeps my mail about as dry as cheese)
Stuart Feenstra
c/o School of the Nations
Rua de Minho
Taipa, Macau, S.A.R. CHINA
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