Date: 30 Jan 04 Adventures of Gamblegirl: The value of a letter I used to hate letters. Email is the way for me. It suits what I like, quick, easy to use, instant response - don't have to write them. At home the only mail I used to receive were those nasty ones that had the clear window and usually involved paying something. But since I've been away I've discovered the value of a letter. Even though I don't normally get anything, I always check to see if there is mail for me. And every now and then I get a pleasant surprise. To all those that have sent me letters and cards, thank you. I've read them about 10 million times, keeping them so that they can go in my little scrap book of my trip. There's something really personal about receiving a letter. Like someone's gone to an effort and posted it to me. The most creative one goes to Auntie Barb for her wicked envelope. Will never look at the melways the same again. The most difficult to read goes to Nan. I can't read her hand writing, yet continue to plough on. The most surprising was from the Keys. Thanks for my birthday card. I can't believe that you went to all that effort to post it to me. The most that touched me the most was the one that I wasn't expecting. It was short, sweet and included a business card which made me laugh for some reason. Thanks foggi chick. I love it. The most who makes me smile is Clarke. It was like a little novel, full of pictures, goss and the sound of Clarke's voice. I love to send a card goes to my mum and dad. They always seem to time it just right so when am feeling a bit homesick, I get this card in the mail. Bless. So it goes to show that in this day and age, where we have access to instant technology, and instant response, a letter has not lost it's place. Nor will any postal system go out of business any time soon, because somethings are personalised and somethings still hold some importance. And maybe one day, I will learn to write one back too. Gamblegirl