From: laniebunnies@gmail.com
To: juliamaylarkin@gmail.com

Hi Julia!

I'm pretty sure this is not what you mean by 'soon' when you wrote "Write back soon" in your first e-mail to me! I'm SO sorry for not getting back to you! 

My summer was so busy but a lot of fun. I just became a member of the Haribon Foundation here in the Philippines. It's a group that promotes and protects animals and the environment. The word haribon is a shortcut for 'haring ibon' means 'king bird' in Filipino language. Sometimes they organize birdwatching and other activities! I just love the wildlife here! 

What I don't love though is the weather. It's so hot and humid! I'm still not used to being in a tropical climate even if my dad and I have been here for almost a year now. We're originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts but my father was offered a good job here in the Philippines and my whole family decided that I come with him first. Now we're renting a house right across the house of my dad's colleague! I've made friends with his daughter but I'll write to you about her another time. In about a year, my mom and sisters will move here too. I for one am glad about moving. It's almost like I'm living my dream of being a great, professional scientist exploring in Asia! 

Oh, I almost forgot to answer your questions! I have two sisters- Angela and Emily. They're still in Cambridge right now and I miss them more than I expected to. I know Angela's going to love it here though because the daughter of my dad's friend is 16 too! It'll be like has a twin sister. I hope she doesn't replace me though. As for the pets question- I have a rabbit that I love so much! He's actually right beside me as I write this e-mail. 

By the way, it' so cool that your cousins live on a farm and have so many animals! Have you visited them lately? And how was your summer?

I can't wait to hear from you!

Bunny ears and butterfly wings Sincerely,
Lanie 

P.S.- I'm so sorry if my e-mail's long!

To: laniebunnies@gmail.com
From: juliamaylarkin@gmail.com

Hi Lanie!
I am SO excited that we're writing to each other.  I've never had a penpal before!  You live in the Philippines, right?  It must be fascinating!  Much more so than boring old rainy Washington.  Over here, the sky is always grey and you get use to wearing boots and seeing ducks everywhere.  Cuppy, my sister, is always chasing them and trying to pick them up.  Once, she slipped and landed in a huge puddle, covering herself with mud!  I thought it was quite amusing, but being only three, she didn't see the joke.  Do you have any bothers or sisters?  What are they like?  I have an older brother- his name is Will.  He's in collage and I miss him a whole lot.  How about pets?  It's one of my lifelong dreams to have a dog or cat.  Or a bird for that matter.  I don't really care what it is.  My cousins live on a farm (at least, I think it's a farm), and have every single animal you could think of!  Dogs, cats, chickens, horses, goats, sheep.....EVERYTHING.  I've only gone to their place twice, but I remember being so excited about riding a pony that the horse freaked out and stepped back.....on my toe.  Good first experience.  This is getting a little long, so to keep you from falling asleep, I shall be signing off.  
Your penpal,
Julia 
P.S. Write back soon!!