Penpal Needed Redux

[Azrael]

Could everyone who posted in the old *ATTN* One more penpal needed thread post here again? You don't have to post everything you did in the last thread (Excel) but just a brief who you were and what you liked. Thanks.

[Saitou Hajime]

I'm a guy, 17 years old from America. I like Martial arts (Kendo mostly, and then Jeet Kune Do), video games, and anime. I like to read a lot and enjoy to write. I like any kind of rock music (Japanese included). I hardly watch TV anymore, but I do like Smallville and 24. I'm heavily interested in Japanese culture and history. I think it would be great to get the penpal, and since I like to write, I wouldn't give up on it. It'd be very interesting to me and I'd like to make it interesting for them as well.

[sakana]

Hey- my old SN was Hoomamooma (don't think you'll remember but oh well)
I'm a 15 year old guy form America and am going into my sophmore year in a public school. I like football and I'm on the school's wrestling team but I'm in advanced classes and get good grades. I'll be in my third year of Japanese whan this schoolyear starts. I'm into technology and computer programing and I'm begining to work on Flash and make my own movies and web cartoons. I enjoy movies, especially comedy and actoin. I like anime but not that much and thats not why I like Japan. I've been looking for a Japanese penpal for a while (I think it'd be cool to talk about our cultures and things like that not attack them with anime things) and I wouldn't just give up and forget about them. I'd do email or snail (perferably snail) and I really hope you pick me.:)

[General_Admission]

17 white male living in Texas. My interests include school grades/college admission, music (punk rock, alternative, dance, some emo, rock, inudstrial/metal, indie, jpop, kpop), gaming (PC, console, board games), surfing internet, reading, photography, and medicine.

[danielh]

Name's Daniel just turned 17 and I will be finishing my schooling years (Year 12) after November in Australia. I get pretty good grades, did Japanese from year 4, then year 7-10 but I haven't touched my books for a long time.
I plan to relearn Japanese as I've began a vested interest in japanese culture (esp manga). I hope this experience benefits both parties as I understand grammar very well (doing Latin as a subject) and would be able to help out with basics, while at the same time being aided in Japanese.
I'm asian, vietnamese chinese and speak cantonese at home, have a large interest in watching sports and would find having a penpal a thoroughly enertaining and fulfiling prospect, which would benefit both myself and the recipient in learning languages. (my goal is to learn 5 languages by the time I'm 50)

[w1th0utafac3]

im a 16 year old male and anyone would love to have me as a pen pal cuz i rock everyones socks

[MaxCapacitor]

I didn't quite catch the thread on the old board but what is this whole penpal thing about? Is Azrael trying to hook you guys up with a long distance relationship or something?

[Saitou Hajime]

One of his former students wants a penpal, he's trying to see who is the best pick to write with them.

[X the Eliminator]

One of his students, a sannesei (sic?) wanted a pen pal to write to in English - like those he had set up for his younger students mentioned in his last editorial.

[neochikara]

Okay, I'll try to compact what I wrote before into a smaller, condensed form.

I'm a 17-year-old American Male. I attend a private [Christian] High School and I am currently a Junior. Some of my favorite hobbies, or interests would be drawing, writing [novels], photography, reading, cycling, and swimming. I watch a bit of anime in my spare time, but it's hardly something that absorbs my entire life. I'd be interested in chatting with a boy or girl relatively close to my age in another country, but if that person was from Japan, a place I hope to visit someday to sample the culture and scenery, that would be awesome. I don't mind snail mail, I'm just worried about the outrageous postage fees for the other person.

I think that's enough... Anyway, thanks for allowing us to have this opportunity.

[h2orowe]

Hey, my name is Joey, I'm a 15 year old guy from America. (specifically, Garden Grove, California. Yup, The O.C.)
I like playing guitar (have been since 8th grade, I'm pretty good, almost close to shredding, not exactly.), Listening to music (Almost any rock, Older Metal ((not alot though, mostly Black Sabbath, Old Metallica [Black Album and before], and Slayer)), Reggae (( I only know about a few names like Bob Marley and The Toots and the Maytals.... but I've watched like the Reggae channel quite alot.... I just don't like the hip-hop reggae stuff)), Sublime ((didn't know to put them in reggae, punk, or ska... I don't listen to ska)), Indie ((like Sparta, Recover, and Head Automatica)), Classic Rock, and J-rock. I watch Anime, but I don't really feel the need to name the list, haha, it's not that big anyway. I also play games, and stuff, but like the anime list, I don't think it's that important.... all you need to know is I love Street Fighter, hahahaha. I like to read alot, I'm really intrested in history, which is what mainly drew me to Japan, Bushido was just way cool, hahaha. I'm planning on learning the language and teaching in Japan. If I can I want to start off like Az, than teach like literature or English in High School (If it's possible).

If I get chosen to be the penpal, I will take it very seriously... so I won't stop or anything. I've been trying to get a penpal through online, not very successful.

I hope I get chosen!

[MaxCapacitor]

Ohh, I see. Sounds like a novel idea. Reminds me of back when I was in elementary, my class had the priviledge of writing to US soldiers in the first Gulf War. I actually got a letter back with some goodies (I remember getting a Big Red One arm patch, was pretty cool).

The thought of communicating to an alien sounds quite intriguing. When I first spotted one in San Francisco a few months back during a visit to a friend, I freaked out. I was like "OMG, a Japanese person, DUDE, female too, check it out! You don't see those in Texas!". Now don't get me wrong, I'm asian and I've seen/met, in person, every asian race imaginable except for Japanese people. Was quite the culture shock for me...

But alas, I'm a bit too mature for this student of his. Unless this kid is the Doogie Howser type, I highly doubt we would have any common ground.

Anyways, to all of you contestants, err, penpal hopefuls, GUNBATTE! (is that how you spell it?)

[givemestarseeds]

HEEY i'd love to be a penpal! I'm a 16 year old asian american girl living in southern california. I've always been interested in world cultures, and the Japanese culture especially! I mean, i love the city i'm in, so id love to tell them about it and hopefully learn about their city. And plus helping a student with their english is a good deed indeed :-P. Im almost sure their skill level in english parallels my skill level in japanese...even in english, under certain circumstances...u.u. So maybe i can learn from them. POINT IS we'd be doing eachother a big favor ^.^. And if they've got the ears for it, or rather the eyes for it, i have plenty to share. Plus it brings me that much closer to japan, my dream of the future.

PATRICIA (or PATS!!)

PS: your editorials also bring me closer to japan

PPS: not to totally suck up...

[airflame]

I Don't know if it's okay for me to post since I'm relatively new, but I'll just do this because there's 4 hours to burn before my english exam =)

My name is Glen =). I'm a 16 year old guy from Singapore, and my ethnicity (did I get that right?) is Asian.. I'm currently studying English as a 1st language and Chinese as a 2nd one. I wish to study the Japanese language too because I'm interested in Japanese culture and tradition and also wish to unravel the truths behind the japanese pseudo-culture impression many of my friends have ;). I've been reading your (Azrael) editorials and so far, and it has only increased my interest lol.. I'm currently in 'junior high' (my country uses a different education system from other countries; I have yet to see a country that has the system mine is using...) =P. I am verrry interested in finding out how the japanese education system is like...hehe.

I have many interests like going online to look at the silly things that happen in certain places, such as japanese junior high school students having a good time giving their teacher a good kancho up the - .

Sorry for the long introduction, but I do need some practice for my exam and this opportunity just presented itself to me =)

[Crimson]

I think I might be a little too old for this, but that's entirely your opinion.

I'm a middle-eastern girl that's just turned 18. I'm going to be living in Montreal (moving next week). I'll be going to McGill University, majoring in Software Engineering. I guess I'm a sort of 'closet geek'. :P I would absolutely love having a Japanese pen pal! I know little Japanese, and even then it's only phrases from anime that aren't very useful. But I'm always willing to learn! I've wanted to travel to Japan for years and hopefully this way I can learn even more about Japan and the culture. I speak two other languages besides english, and neither are close to Japanese. :P Of course, I'm sort of new to manga and anime, and it would be amusing for me to see what shows/manga they like! You know...that sort of cultural immersion deal...in disguise?

Thanks for the opportunity, Az!

[Nii]

I'm gonna try and nab this oppurtunity! XD

I'm Johnny, an 18 year old vietnamese dude living in Australia. Currently studying electronics engineering and computer and mathematical sciences at uni.

I'm currently self teaching Japanese (nowhere near proficient yet) and plan to 'unofficially' take a Japanese course next year (read: go to the lectures without enrolling =]).

I have recently undertaken Kendo training, which gives me a window into traditional Japanese culture and budo, which hopefully I can expand by being a penpal! I'm very interested in the alien quirks that appear to be Japan, and plan to visit it sometime to observe these fascinating stories by Az in action, as well as meet people, and experience the culture.

As usual, I watch and enjoy anime often, but am not a stereotyped otaku. I listen to classical, dance, rnb and hiphop. I play games often, spend time mucking around on the internet, studying, hanging out with buddies or improving my martial arts.

[Excel-2008]

...(Excel)...
Do I really need to post again?

My name in the physical world is James A. Calwell III. I'm 16 years old and I enjoy working with computers, writing excessively long passages, shooting games, Namco × Capcom and studying Japanese (especially kanji). I enjoy anime as well, but only to a minimal extent. I'll risk everything for this chance.

Some applicants have attacked me for my presumption that the student has limited English proficiency, but since no information regarding that was available at the time, I took my chance to use that fact in self-defense, Bill O'Reilly style. My long application succeeded in mysteriously intimidating the competition. Praetorian wasn't.

That was hard.

[sakana]

Do I really need to post again?

Don't worry Excel, Az has the old posts:
http://students.washington.edu/goten/Penpal_1.pdf

(I didn't supply this to him, I'm just telling you guys incase you didn't see that thread)

[Soli]

I'm probaly too young... Well, I'm going to try. No harm, right?

My name is Caroline (I'm a girl, if you didn't catch that). Right now, I'm going into 8th grade. I'm 13, although I'll be 14 next month. I live in the USA, in Ohio. I know a little Japanese, but not much. I enjoy writing. My favorite subject in school is English: I'm pretty good at grammar and spelling. For music I like modern classical (Harry Potter type of music), and some pop. I also like to sing. :)

[Excel-2008]

Don't worry Excel, Az has the old posts:
http://students.washington.edu/goten/Penpal_1.pdf

(I didn't supply this to him, I'm just telling you guys incase you didn't see that thread)
I was mentioned by name, so naturally, one would assume my sting had lasted. I did it anyway for the benefit of those who missed it. But I can't believe that someone would bother this much to make a backup of the topic. I had never even thought it.

[TheLostProphet]

I'm a male, just turned 16 and from Manchester, UK. I'm interested in world cultures and speak fluent french, as well as learning other languages like Japanese. I'm into any music that's good (and doesn't include gangsta rap) and I like reading and playing video games.

Uhhh...I have a good female penpal way down south in Miyazaki-ken. We send each other country-specific things at occasions like birthdays and christmas. I have a JLPT level of 4 so communication has never been difficult, and we speak half-Japanese and half-English to help both of us. I sent a few pics from my prom and I think she has a crush on me now because "Japanese boys are not gentle like you" >_>

Anyway...I send as much of my culture as I can, and she does too, so I think for the most part we have lots of fun and I have a friend for life =)

[Praetorian]

...Praetorian wasn't...



Then again, I wasn't competition. As much as I'd like to be a penpal to a Japanese teenager, and especially one of Jeff's students, I in perfect honesty can't be bothered with writing snail mail. Don't take me wrong, it's not that I'm lazy or anything, it's just that my handwriting has been piss-poor ever since I broke my wrist a while ago, and with the minimum wage I receive for working as a rack filler in a supermarket I can't post letters all the way to Japan every week or two or so.



Sorry for polluting your thread, Jeff. I sincerely hope it doesn't make it harder to sort out the people sending in applications.

[Excel-2008]

I wrote a farewell paper letter to aformentioned Okinawa exchange student. She wasn't going back to Japan or anything, but I felt obligated to write it. After all, being one who believes in fate, she was put in my class (of all Japanese classes in the region) to experience my class's unique experience, and I the feeling of authenticity.

[KO3AK]

I am a 36 year old male with a hairy back and small dick living in my mothers basement :cool: . I eat cheap ramen noodles from a plastic cup because it makes me feel more Japanese ^_^ LOL. I watch anime and read manga, because they are cool LOL. That is about all I do everyday, surf Internet (sometimes a little hentai, but hentai only because regular porn is NASTY!), read manga scanlations (because they are expensive to buy :( ) , and watch downloaded Dragonball Z episodes. I would like to have a female penpal from Japan, preferably from 12 to 15 years old, so I can mastrubate to her picture while I sniff her dirty panties. Yeah I am a little kinky XD LOL. I also dream to find a bishoujo girl, just like in many romance mangas.Also, everyday I wish I was Japanese, but my wish was not granted so far, maybe sometime in the future...
I wish life was like anime, LOL.

[Excel-2008]

I get the feeling that this application was a joke entry.

[KO3AK]

I get the feeling that this application was a joke entry.

Nope I was TOTALLY serious LOL !!!
Sorry if I sounded a little stupid (oh well, sometimes everybody does :p ).

Oooh I hope I will be chosen !!! (Crosses fingers)

[AnimeFan3oo3]

I was that 15 year old guy living in NYC, NY, USA.

My main hobbies are watching anime, (as well as other television shows. I love Family Guy) reading books (mostly fantasy and sci-fi), playing video games, and playing around with photoshop, doing graphic design. (and bad digital art.) I've always wanted to see what Japan is like from a Japanese teen's point of view.

[ManiacLove]

Brittany, Female, 18, From Detroit, MI.
Likes.. Fashion, shopping, Xbox, purikura, music, ramune, pepsi, tacos, and italian food.
Just finished highschool, but most people think I just started. =(
I love all fashion, but Japanese couture is definately my favorite. My dream is to be a model. I'm not an otaku by any means but I do love Sailor Moon, and have seen most of the more popular animes out there.
Movies I love: American Beuaty, Battle Royale, Suicide Circle, Adaptation, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Jackie Brown, Dogma, Clerks, & Perfect Blue.
I used to have a penpal that I loved talking to but one month he just stopped writing...
Games I like: Halo 2, Mortal Kombat (2 & Deception are my favorites), Super Smash Brothers, and Yoshi's Island.
Music: Eminem, Ayumi Hamasaki, Destiny's Child, Nirvana, 2Pac, Britney Spears, Jay-Z, Morning Musume, Oasis, The Juliana Theory, Jack Off Jill, mostly pop I guess.
Fashion: I love Cecil. (Cecil McBee) Seventeen (JP), CANDy and CanCam (huge!) are my favorite Japanese magazines.
I love talking to people and giving advice.. I don't have many friends so I treasure & spoil the ones I do.
I am currently learning Japanese and don't mean exchanging help with English.
I'm also supposed to be moving to Japan, so having a friend when I get there would be nice. (^^>
I love writing letters. It's a great way to open up to people.
I also like nails, and cell phone decorating... I'm a very girlie-girl. XD
I think that's it for now.. If you have anymore questions, please ask!

[MajorProblem]

Alright, I'm a 16 year old Junior in high school in suburban Dallas, Texas. Ever seen the show King of the Hill? Yeah, that's my life. Anyways, I'm in my 3rd year of French (honors). I am a Second Lieutenant in JROTC ad my prime interest is aviation, along with anything military, and computer games of course. I really don't fall into any groups, I'm friends with them all. Except jocks. I hate jocks. I'll readily admit that about everything I know about Japanese culture comes from Az, but I love talking to people, especially from other countries. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I'm a really nice guy.

[Tenlaius]

14,male,likes to play video games. Read each harry potter book in less than 2 days. Getting ready to start high school. Curious about Japenese,hence the reason i come here. And also a part i have a feeling you all will laugh at...never had a gf. That is basically it,oh..those who were my friends before I moved said i was friendly and sort of funny.

I miss them though..the year before i move i get great frineds..only have a pic of 6 of them,which makes me feel sad. Hopefully thouh when I have to go down to Mississippi to go to my moms for the summer(whenever i do go that is) I can talk to them again.

[Shinigami]

I am a 17 year old male.
I have been studying the japanese culture for quite some time now, I have taken both japanese and kendo respectively. I also have had experiance with have a Japanese penpal; my school participated in a japanese penpal exchange program, so I know how to write so that someone who is just learning english can comprehend. I enjoy such things as: photography, japanese culture, anime(obviously), food ;) , listening to music, well.... you get the idea, pretty much everything the average teenager is interested in along with philosophy, computers, and the fine arts. When I graduate highschool I plan on traveling(not touring) across Japan. I want to photograph all parts of the japanese life and ideal, and writing a companion book to the photographs. I would very much appreciate the chance to be able to talk to someone who was born and raised in japan to get a first hand feel of what the people are actually like. Not to say I have no met someone born and raised in japan. It would just be a very pleasent experiance to talk to someone who only knows Japan. Well there you go, even if I am not the "one" I still appreciate your time in making this a possibility for whoever becomes the penpal.

[Azrael]

Thanks to all who applied to be a penpal for one of my students!

It wasn't easy, but I made a choice. There were a lot of good applicants, and it's unfortunate I could only pick one. Thank you for your interest in this.

The most important thing, to me, was finding someone who's interests matched closely with this student's, and within 1-2 years of their age range. That is the main thing I was looking for. I intentionally did not tell you much about the student, for a number of reasons, but looked over the information provided and chose who I thought would make the best penpal for this student.

Again, thanks to all who showed interest in this! Wish there was a way I could have picked all of you...but at the moment I only have one more student who wanted a penpal.

[Excel-2008]

Are you going to restart the application process for the new client or select from the current pool of entries?

[AnimeFan3oo3]

Thanks to all who applied to be a penpal for one of my students!

It wasn't easy, but I made a choice. There were a lot of good applicants, and it's unfortunate I could only pick one. Thank you for your interest in this.

The most important thing, to me, was finding someone who's interests matched closely with this student's, and within 1-2 years of their age range. That is the main thing I was looking for. I intentionally did not tell you much about the student, for a number of reasons, but looked over the information provided and chose who I thought would make the best penpal for this student.

Again, thanks to all who showed interest in this! Wish there was a way I could have picked all of you...but at the moment I only have one more student who wanted a penpal.

Cool, so, who was picked?

[Saitou Hajime]

Yeah, at least tell us who ya' picked lol. It'd be torture if I didn't at least know that much.

[Excel-2008]

I suppose that he reasoned that disclosing the name of the winner risks their image and reputation. After all, seeing that so much tension was expended in this scenario, I think it's natural that he wants to protect the identity of the winner of a highly envied title.

[Azrael]

I actually haven't even contacted the winner yet.

Been busy.

[mediocre]

if it isnt too late

I'm a 45 year old male, single, who enjoys anime, high school sailor uniforms, and young women who can keep a secret. I also likes movies and shopping.

[Saitou Hajime]

if it isnt too late

I'm a 45 year old male, single, who enjoys anime, high school sailor uniforms, and young women who can keep a secret. I also likes movies and shopping.

Lol, he just said he had a winner already, so your joke sucks.

[mediocre]

Lol, he just said he had a winner already, so your joke sucks.


Obviously the timing portion of the joke went well over your head




Just for shits and giggles:

http://www.envision7.com/~rich/pics/master_of_the_obvious.jpg

[ManiacLove]

I actually haven't even contacted the winner yet.

Been busy.

Make it... ME~! (^^>

It's okay! I won't tell anyone.

[Saitou Hajime]

Nothing went over my head; the whole thing was stupid. There've been fake entries here already. Thank you General Original.

[mediocre]

Nothing went over my head; the whole thing was stupid. There's been fake entries here already. Thank you General Original.


But none so well late, and none so superbly wry

[Saitou Hajime]

I am a 36 year old male with a hairy back and small dick living in my mothers basement :cool: . I eat cheap ramen noodles from a plastic cup because it makes me feel more Japanese ^_^ LOL. I watch anime and read manga, because they are cool LOL. That is about all I do everyday, surf Internet (sometimes a little hentai, but hentai only because regular porn is NASTY!), read manga scanlations (because they are expensive to buy :( ) , and watch downloaded Dragonball Z episodes. I would like to have a female penpal from Japan, preferably from 12 to 15 years old, so I can mastrubate to her picture while I sniff her dirty panties. Yeah I am a little kinky XD LOL. I also dream to find a bishoujo girl, just like in many romance mangas.Also, everyday I wish I was Japanese, but my wish was not granted so far, maybe sometime in the future...
I wish life was like anime, LOL.

That one was better. Combine it with your lateness, and then we'll have a good one.

[mediocre]

That one was better. Combine it with your lateness, and then we'll have a good one.



Too blunt and lowbrow, that just ain't dry enough for me.
Plus that lacks the requisite, yet inconsequential, hobbies such as 'shopping and movies', which is was quite the apt touch, if i may say so.

Oh well, to each his own.

[Jancarius]

I'd like to do a penpal thing, but I'm almost 21... I'm a just-starting-second-year of Japanese student in college.

I figure I'll be too old for any kid Az is teaching anyway

[Excel-2008]

Azrael should change the topic title to indicate that the promotion has ended.

[h2orowe]

So.... like who won?
Heh, I hope it was me.

[Sector]

People are still wondering who's the winner?
________
Box vaporizers (http://boxvaporizers.com)

[Excel-2008]

I'll confirm that a winner is not me, hence my current custom title.

[ManiacLove]

Winner? It's not a contest.. I don't think..

Either way, I don't know.. who got the penpal? =(

[AnimeFan3oo3]

I was in the top 3, but I did not win.

[Bowling Pin]

snip

snip

lol fag fighting