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Chaiphile

Chaiphile
Date Joined: May 1, 2014
Last Online: August 12, 2014

Country: Pakistan

About Me

MY APOLOGIES FOR NOT CHECKING IN EARLIER!!! I HAD TO MAKE AN URGENT TRIP TO SINGAPORE AS MY MUM WAS ILL. IF MY MAIL/SWAP HAS NOT REACHED YOU, PLEASE MESSAGE ME. I WILL RECTIFY ANY NO-SHOWS.

Hi! I'm Shirin, a Muslim mum of 3. I'm 42 and am originally from Singapore, but have been based in Islamabad, Pakistan for close to 7 years.

I pretend at being creative – I dream of writing a novel, am an addicted Instagrammer and often try out crafts that I am pretty much hopeless at. I'm attempting a hand-pieced quilt, Smashbooking and Project Life. Oh yes, I love tea!

I am married and have 3 kids – we are homeschoolers and books are a major part of our lives. We run a little library for homeschoolers… an excuse for us bibliophiles to continue hoarding books!

I also love vintage things like old pyrex, typewriters, wooden spools and such. If you like tea, then chances are, we can be good pals :)

Favorite Crafts

I like needlework – nothing fancy, just stitchery and redwork – and am starting a Project Life album and a smashbook.

I love journalling in my Midori Traveler's Journal… this cute notebook is my new BFF. If you're a Midori fan, message me!

Favorite Books

I love reading and am particularly fascinated with children's and young adult literature. I love looking for award-winning titles and sharing them with my kids. We've amassed quite a collection and trawl second-hand bookstores any chance we get.

My favourite work of fiction is "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. I also love works by Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell.

Snail Mail

I love writing letters – my letters are notoriously long and chatty! My daughters aged 12 and 9 are also hoping to find some pen pals that they can build long-lasting friendships with.

I also like exchanging postcards and have resumed postcrossing after a break.

Cards I like:

  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • mosques
  • historical sites
  • landscapes
  • fall scenes
  • ladybirds and puffins … they're so cute!
  • horses
  • tea and coffee
  • nature
  • covered bridges
  • rustic scenes, country scenes and homes
  • lighthouses
  • bicycles
  • vintage typewriters, 50s diners

If you're from the US, I'd appreciate a state card (map, flower, bird… whatever!!) as I'm trying to do a 50-state book with the kids.

Ratings & Deadlines

I'm quite particular about sending out my swaps early or on time. I get anxiety attacks about being late! LOL! So, if you do not receive something from me, please send me a message and I will rectify any non-deliveries. I assure you that I will do the same for you – I would never rate you down without checking with you first.

Pakistan mail is usually reliable, but there are the odd occasions when things are slow… Once, they ran out of high denomination stamps and so I had to repackage my parcel and another time, they weren't able to weigh my letters as the power had been cut! I know this would be totally unheard of for most of you, but hey! It's what I live with ;) A letter or package may be posted punctually and still be postmarked a day later because of their own internal schedules that I have yet to understand.

I am not a fussy person and I'm grateful for whatever I get – I believe it is the thought that counts and you don't need to break the bank to have some fun and friendship :)

Ratings

1
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1
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Comment: I never got anything. You did not send me any communication about the swap, and I emailed you about the swap but you haven't read the email. I will re-rate if receive anything.
Response: I am SO SORRY!!! I have only just been able to log in to my account — I've had to travel due to my mum's illness and have been caught up with taking care of her. I have just seen this message and am so very sorry and dismayed that my mail did mot reach you :( I will rectify this at once!
raphaela rated for Blank Postcards on Jul 24, 2014
5
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Comment: Hello Shirin! Thank you so much for the beautiful postcards you sent me!! I'm very happy to be able to see a little bit more of the beautiful landscapes of Pakistan!
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Comment: Hi ! Thanks so much for the beautiful postcard of Pakistan. Love the mountain and clouds. Great stamps too. Can't imagine that many languages. Take care & thanks again, Judy
5
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Comment: Hello, Shirin. I received ur letters today. wow. I'm so suprised u become my partner again. haha. I will reply your letters soon :) happy fasting
5
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Comment: Thanks for your postcard:)
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Comment: Shirin - I had to chuckle at the postage on the envelope! Great stuff for future use there. I LOOOOOVE long letters so I was thrilled to receive such nice, newsy letters x3! I will write back to you just as soon as I can, you can be sure of that. Thanks for the goodies, too. The postcards are really interesting and it was nice you took extra time to write on each one. Looking forward to long pen palling letters for a long time to come!
shoediva rated for Meet a new penpal on Jun 24, 2014
5
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Comment: Thank you so much for the letter and all of the awesome goodies. I will write back soon.
AtelierEem rated for 2 nature postcards-2 partners #2 on Jun 14, 2014
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Comment: Shirin, thank you for the postcards and your letter. See you on IG ^~^
Response: :) So glad you got them! Thanks for the heart – yes, I must post more on IG!
dawnakaulen rated for 2 nature postcards-2 partners #2 on Jun 14, 2014
5
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Comment: Beautiful, stunning cards. Thank you!
Response: I am so pleased you received and like them! Thank you so much for the heart!
sleepingrover2010 rated for Postcard Mash Up 20 on Jun 14, 2014
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Comment: Hello Shirin, Thank you for the 5 postcards you sent me for the swap Postcard Mash Up 20. They did a wonderful job of introducing me to the beautiful country of Pakistan. Barb sleepingrover2010
Response: Hi Barb! Thank you for your kind words and rating :) I am so pleased you received the cards!
jep1068 rated for PC Swap-My Favorite Five on Jun 12, 2014
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Comment: Hi Shirin - Thank you so much for the beautiful postcard - I love the scene on the front, very atmospheric. Reading your favourite 5 things to eat made me hungry! They all sound so delicious. I love Chai and satay too and Chicken Rice sounds great as does the chicken patties and Parathas & curry. We are hoping to take a family holiday to Singapore at the end of the year or early next year, so I'll definately try these dishes out. All the best and happy swapping, Jane x (jep1068)
Response: Oh you got the card!!!! I am so relieved LOL! I guess my post office came through! Yes, you will gain weight in Singapore … I hope you have a fabulous time!
maybeblue rated for A building postcard on Jun 10, 2014
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Comment: Thank you for the beautiful Pakistan postcard.
Response: So glad you like it :) Thank YOU for the heart :)
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Comment: Thank you so much for the beautiful card! In Canada it seems like all we hear about Pakistan is negative. This shows a whole different picture. Get your pen to paper and write your book -- my cousin just had a book published! You can do it. I'm a coffee drinker, although I was raised on tea as my parents were from the Netherlands. I love ethnic foods from all over the world so if you've got a good local dish, please share. Thanks again. This postcard is going on my refrigerator, with all my favourites.
Response: I am so glad you like the card :) Yes, Pakistan does have a poor image and sometimes with good reason, but it isn't as bad as it is made out to be. I would love to share some recipes with you :) Thank you so much for the nice message and the heart :)
bgailk rated for Make my Dad Smile! on Jun 9, 2014
5
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Response: Thank you so much :)
YardSailingMama rated for Instagram Love ! on Jun 8, 2014
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Comment: Thank you!!
Response: My pleasure… thank you for the heart! I must get on Instagram more… been so busy :(
marles rated for Interest me in a new book no. 12 on Jun 2, 2014
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Comment: Thanks for the excerpt. Will need to add to my need to read list.
Response: I hope you'll like the book. Try catching the BBC miniseries! It was very well done. Thank you so much for the heart :)
wittmert rated for Interest me in a new book no. 12 on May 31, 2014
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Comment: Thanks! I think North & South was made into a BBC movie? I haven't read the book yet.
Response: Yes!!! It was! I watched it and liked it a lot. Thank you for the heart :)
Elliepatterson rated for What's in a name? on May 31, 2014
5
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Comment: Great story and thank you for sharing. Blessings
Response: Thank you so much for the heart :)
lagemaz rated for What's in a name? on May 31, 2014
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Comment: I loved the story of your Dad! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful memory.
Response: It was my pleasure :) Thank you so much for the kind words and the heart :)

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
4.8491 39 0 0
Completed Fives Threes Ones
18 51 0 2
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
3 15 0 0
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