Operation: Princess Pen Pal Letters 2 & 3 (Sort Of)

Imagine my surprise tonight when I got home and had not one, but two princess letters waiting in the mail!  I opened them carefully just as before.  The first letter was from Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.  I was super excited to hear from her because of her awesome Cinderella story (reference below) and she is friends with Duchess Kate, but I was sadly disappointed when I saw the letter.  I know princesses are busy and all, but can't they all afford some letter writers.  Queen Elizabeth II's letter writers work for free, might I add! 

the royal envelope

royal markings

"Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess has asked me to thank you for your kind letter."



Information on Princess Mary of Denmark

As mentioned previously, Mary has not always been a princess.  She was born and raised in Australia where she played hockey and rode horses while growing up.  During the Summer Olympics in 2000, Mary happened to meet Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at a pub.  That's right, ladies - a bar!  They had a quiet long term relationship for a few years - they wrote letters, emailed, and visited regularly.  They continued their relationship when Mary moved to Paris, France to work as an English tutor.  They officially became engaged in 2003.  They were married in 2004 and honeymooned in Africa (see why Mary and Duchess Kate are friends?!).  They now have four children. 

Princess Mary and Duchess Kate in Denmark in November 2011.

Princess Mary seems to be very active in organizations involved with immigration, anti-bullying and skin care prevention.  Mary learned Danish before her wedding and encourages immigrants to learn the language and culture of Denmark.  Like Duchess Kate, Princess Mary is also into fashion.  See their fashion show down here.  She has been compared to Princess Diana and has graced the covers of many a Vogue magazine. 

I like that she comes from regular beginnings and had such a romantical love story.  I might have to find some biographies on her and Queen Elizabeth II.  The one I read on William and Kate was really good. 

__________________________________________

The second letter I received was a little different.  There were no official markings on the envelope, but I noticed it was from Amsterdam.  As I opened it carefully, I noticed pink and brown.  Since most royal stationary seems to be cream, I thought this was a little odd.  Then I saw it was handwritten!  I started to read...the letter was not what I expected, but it was just as cool and exciting.  I typed it up below so you can see for yourself:

handwritten envelope = suspicious

my letter and photo postcard of Princess Maxima

Dear Alexandra,

An amazing thing happened to me!  My name is Therese...and by a wonderful miracle your letter to Princess Maxima fell in my mailbox!  I live in Nocrdeinde, just 20 metres away from the palace.  I live in this house for just six months with my baby-girl of eight months.  Imagine my surprise when I found your letter!  I decided to read it and write you back.  When my baby was born, everybody said she is like a queen.  She is a princess.  Now with your letter I say: you see?  This is the proof! :o)  I was married to an Egyptian man in Abydos in Egypt.  When he wears his winter traditional clothes, I always said "you look like a king!"  My plan is to make a copy of your letter and put that in the book I make for my daughter.  I write a little note to Princess Maxima and I go to the palace to deliver it personally together with your letter.   I truly wish she will answer you!

The Netherlands is beautiful.  And very busy.  Everybody is always in a hurry it seems.  Many people travel by train and ride a bicycle, but most drive a car.  Amsterdam is wonderful.  There are still many old houses.  My sister lives in such a house.  I love it there.  Der Haag, especially this area, is nice too.  More quiet.  There are so many beautiful places to visit, I would not know where to start.  The country side with the woods is lovely to have a nice walk.  But my favorite countries are Peru and Egypt.  I love mountains, maybe because we don't have them here. :o)  If you ever go to Holland, please write me and I show you some nice places.  I wish you all the best.  And have a lot of fun with your project!

Much love,

Therese

How cool is that?  I think I'll write back and have a pen pal in Holland!  What do you think about the letter?  Would you write back?  Are you liking Operation: Princess Pen Pal posts?

Operation: Princess Pen Pal - Letter #1

Her Majesty The Queen

My first royal letter came today (so soon!) and it is from Her Majesty the Queen of England herself! Click here if you do not know what I am talking about.  I was super excited, but patiently waited to get inside to open her letter perfectly.  I must say that at first I had hoped she might be writing to let me know about my arranged marriage to her grandson, Prince Harry, but alas, no...maybe someday.  I wrote to the Queen and told her British royal history is my favorite (check out historical fiction books by Philippa Gregory - she wrote The Other Boleyn Girl).  I also told her I taught about her in my Australia lesson this past year.  Annabelle Whitehead, a Lady-in-Waiting for the Queen, was the one to actually write me back.  I understand - the Queen has things to do and people to see.  Below are photos of my royal letter as well as information on the Queen and her Ladies-in-Waiting.

The amazing royal envelope.  It was so thick and elegant.

This was on the back - how royal, right?!

I cannot tell you how excited I was when I saw her initials and a letter postmarked from Buckingham Palace!

The letter and information sheets for my students - I will be laminating them immediately!

Information on Queen Elizabeth II

According to the official website of the British Monarchy, Elizabeth Alexandra (quite the royal name, isn't it?) Mary became the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1926.  Her childhood was actually pretty quiet until 1936 when her grandfather died and her uncle gave up the throne to marry American divorcee, Wallis Simpson.  This left Elizabeth's father to be King.  Her parents became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.  World War II soon followed.  This period is probably what her family is most famous for.  King George VI continued to live in London during the bombings when he could have easily moved elsewhere to safety.  People really admired him for this. 

In 1947, Elizabeth became engaged to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.  Her wedding wasn't as grand as Princess Diana's or Duchess Kate's because World War II had just ended - she even used coupons to buy her dress!  They ended up having four children (the first being Prince Charles born a year after the wedding).  They are still married today after 64 years!  If this doesn't have Disney story written all over, then I don't know what does!  I LOVE a good happily ever after, don't you?

Elizabeth went from Princess to Queen in 1952 after the death of her father.  Her coronation wasn't until 1953 though.  Crowds lined the streets (like they did for the Royal Wedding this past spring) and it was also the first time a coronation aired on television. 

The Queen currently attends many receptions, ceremonies, and visits around the United Kingdom and abroad.  She also reads letters from the public and meets with key political figures.  One of my favorite things I learned about the Queen is that she actually celebrates two birthdays...a lady from my own heart.  Her real birthday is on April 21, but her official birthday is on a Saturday in June.  Lucky gal!  Supposedly, all royals get two birthdays especially if they were not born in the summer.  Their real birthday is spent privately, but their fake birthday is spent celebrating publicly and having people fawn over them.  Ahh...I could get used to royal life!



Queen Elizabeth II with her husband, children and grandchildren



Information on Ladies-In-Waiting

According to Jennifer Smart's blog, Ladies-in-Waiting collect flowers and gifts from the public, write letters, and shop for the Queen.  They are also personally selected by the Queen herself.  They are not paid, but they work two weeks on, two weeks off.  If I read correctly, Annabel Whitehead (the woman who wrote to me) was actually a Lady-in-Waiting for Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister.  Sadly, Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother both died in 2002.  I guess Annabel Whitehead now works for the Queen.  Cool fact - it is tradition after the death of a royal to give honors to some members of their staff for the work they did for the royal family.  Annabel Whitehead was one of four people to receive this honor in 2002 for working for Princess Margaret. 

Now I must go and figure out how to get this job for Duchess Katherine!  That is all for my first royal letter update!  I cannot wait to blog about future letters!  Check back soon.  I hope you are enjoying this as much as me!

Friday Favorites - Saturday Edition

baby animals always make my day

i heart the Biltmore especially at Christmas

...speaking of Christmas!

One of the best movies of my childhood!

i heart Audrey!

this is hilarious! emma is my girl!

Can I live here please?!

for reals...

glitter snow balls! we all know i love to paper mache!

disney secrets!

cute idea for a wedding - and a fun thing to read on the honeymoon

a great way to get guests to take pictures of specific things

I heart this jacket!

pink kitchen heaven!

this outfit is amazing!

this snow is so peaceful! i want someone to pull me down this path on a sled. 

piglet and pooh!

gives a new meaning to "ice"

these santa hats look easy...i need to decide on a holiday treat to make soon

thing one and thing two cupcakes! perfect for a babyshower with twins!

the lantern festival in thailand! i must go here one day.

a baby holly!

i feel my depression already beginning...

LOVE the matching shoes!

zorbing in new zealand shall be added to my bucket list
(i assume it is more awesome than zorbing in TN)

Catch-Up

I'm going to post my Friday Favs tomorrow and do a week update today.  Happy Veteran's Day and 11.11.11. by the way!  Today is supposed to be the luckiest day of the year.  After next year's 12.12.12 we won't get these special dates for almost a century.  Sad. I shall try my luck at a lottery ticket perhaps? Anyway...its been an interesting week, so here is my recap:

Last Saturday I ran the inaugural Transfiguration Mission 5K which raised money for the teens at my church to go on their annual mission trips each summer.  My goals were to place in the top 3 and to beat 30 minutes.  My time ended up being 30:30, but guess what?!  I placed 1st for my age group! Success!

action shot!

They played music from the Olympics and let me stand on the top bleacher as I received my medal.  As Logan said - we cannot all be princesses; some people have to wave to us as we walk down the street. (or something like that...)

I ran in my gear from Atlanta Activewear - thanks Donna and Danielle!

Monday was the Twilight Breaking Dawn event at The Buckhead Theatre.  Read that post here.  Below is my photo with the cast:

Wednesday I had my Fado party - my prize for winning 3rd in the Halloween costume contest.  Here I am with YogaInHeels, but we had a nice group of nine.  I think everyone had a good time.  Thanks, Fado!

Thursday night I watched my 5th episode of being an extra for The Vampire Diaries!  Sadly, I did not make any screen time, but with over 200 extras that day, I wasn't expecting much.  The mid-season finale was amazing, BTW.  I cannot wait until January 5th! I don't know why they are torturing us like this?!  PS. Klaus is super cute in real life and totally has the accent :o)

I think that's all for my exciting week.  Oh! I did win a Twitter contest and the prize was a new Cellairis phone cover! Yay!  Check back tomorrow for my weekend favs (aka Friday Favs pushed back a day!)

Twilight Breaking Dawn Tour

I am always a little bummed that I don't live in Los Angeles or New York City because of all the awesome things that take place there, but I'm starting to realize that Atlanta has some cool things to offer as well. I mean, two popular shows - The Vampire Diaries and The Walking Dead - are filmed here and Us Weekly even had a party here...not too shabby if I do say so myself.

While searching around online, I came across an article about the Twilight Breaking Dawn tour. The tour's first stop just so happened to be Atlanta! That never happens! Even better - tickets were available for FREE on Saturday, November 5! Unfortunately, I was already scheduled to run a 5K at my church that day (came in 1st for my age group, might I add), so I knew I had to find a way to win tickets! Other than winning them on the radio, there were two other contests available - one through email and the other through Facebook. I decided to enter both. In the first contest, you had to give reasons why you love Twilight. I wrote down twenty reasons covering everything from Jacob's abs to boyfriends that sparkle like diamonds. :o) In the second contest, I had to create a Facebook comment and get the most "likes". The top 25 people won tickets, but the top 5 people won VIP passes to meet the cast! I had to be VIP! I was obsessed with this contest for days and probably annoyed all of my Facebook friends.  Sorry, everyone!

Turns out that I made the top 25 and got two free general admission passes through the Facebook contest, but I actually won two VIP passes through the email contest (it was a surprise added bonus!). I ended up going to the event with my friends, YogaInHeels and Jessica. They bumped Jessica up to VIP too which was really nice of them! I'll tell you the story of the night through my photos below!



We arrived at The Buckhead Theatre just in time - the cast pulled up right next to us!



Nikki Reed signing autographs outside.

Showing off our VIP passes!

VIP stands for Very Important Person in case you didn't know ;o)

Fun foods were available such as mini baked potatoes, mini burgers, cupcakes and candy apples (pictured above).  Doesn't it look like vampires and werewolves already took over this table? Sodas were available at the theater bars as well. 



Edward and I are going to the chapel...
Cute photo area they set up. 
There were two other photo ops, a glittery temporary tattoo station with Twilight themed designs, etc.



Couldn't forget about Jacob!

Twilight themed bar!

Inside The Buckhead Theatre - VIP got reserved seating in the balcony, but I actually think those with general admission tickets had the best spot even though they were standing in a crowd.  The radio hosts from B98.5 forgot about us balcony peeps while giving away prizes and playing trivia.  We got to meet the cast though, so I guess it was worth it.

Christina Perry performed!

Q and A with the cast!
Charlie Bewley, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed and Ashley Greene

We got to meet the cast before the concert and the Q and A session started!  One thing I would change about the event is I would make it longer.  It only lasted from 5:30-8:30pm and because we were doing the meet and greet we didn't get to do the photo booths or the tattoos.  I was hoping the booths would be open after the Q and A because it was still early, but they were already shut down :o(

Meeting the cast was worth it though.  Best night ever! They moved the line really quickly - everyone only got a minute with them.  Donna didn't think I would high-five them, but I did (and got in trouble for it with security too!)  Video is linked here if you want to see it.  Its quite comical!  I'll post my cast photo soon when it is posted online!  Until next time, amigos!