Meet the two users from Northern Mariana Islands, USA. Jude, living in Tinian, and a Public Library project. There's more to do in a tropical island than just watch the views!

How did you come across Postcrossing? What got you hooked?

Jude: A home-schooling friend mentioned it on her blog. Always a lover of mail, especially postcards, I joined immediately and love it.

TPL: Jude suggested it as an activity for our Summer Reading Program and it’s now an ongoing year-round project. One of the elementary school teachers who got involved during our Summer Program plans to use postcrossing with her students when school begins in September. That’ll make 3 of us!

Do you have any other interesting hobbies?

Jude: Like with everything I get into, I’m pretty gung-ho about Postcrossing so it’s my main passion at the moment. But, yes, I’ve always had many hobbies. Besides beachcombing and snorkelling most recent interests include genealogy, taking photos, writing, hiking, and now making postcards for both myself and the Library to send. The few postcards available on Tinian are expensive and since postage alone strains both our budgets, homemade is the only option.

TPL: For us it’s more a question of activities than hobbies but yes, we like to offer activities that are both fun and educative for children. This is a small island and the Library is a crucial community service. Children are the most frequent Library patrons all year.

Show us your mailbox, your mailman/mailwoman, your postoffice or the place where you post or keep your postcards!

Post Office on Tinian

Children practice before writing postcards

Students studying postcrossing cards and map

Show & tell us about your favorite received postcard to date, and what makes it special.

TPL: I love so many it’s hard to say but I think the aurora borealis and rainbows share the top of the list with lighthouses, windmills, culture dress, traditions, dancing and scenes like terraced rice farming! Actually we’re easy to please - glimpses of the world are colorful mailbox jewels.

Jude: Well, since we are new and considered exotic it seems like everyone wants a card from us. In self defense we have to require that you send first with your address on your card . We WILL send you a card as soon as yours arrives! I always try to read profiles before responding. I’ve gotten as many as 18 cards in one day. That takes a lot of time – so I like to limit the emails to your “it’s arrived.” messages.