Yours Faithfully, Amanda

Wednesday 17 July 2019 Hartford, Connecticut Dear Jane, And so our Cartagena  adventure  continues... A breakfast fit for hobbits. Our second day (Monday, the twentieth of May) was one that both Rachael and I had been looking forward to for quite some time as we were to spend the majority of it on a boat! Before boating, however, breakfast was a necessity. I do so loath to sound "bougie," Jane, but our first full day in Cartagena began by indulging in an exceedingly delicious breakfast whilst seated at a charming table by the pool. Hotel Caribe provides a wonderful buffet breakfast consisting of fresh fruit and jugos (juices), strong & flavorful coffee, eggs, meats, cheeses, pandebono (a roll, of sorts, with cheese baked in- YUM), an assortment of delectable, local pastries (that I cannot remember the names of), and much more! And as I am a hobbit, I often went back for second breakfast. I daresay I could have lingered by the breakfast buffet for ho...

June 21, 2019 Dear Jane, Once again it has been much too long since last I wrote. In truth, I did not have the inspiration or drive to write these past couple of months so I allowed myself the freedom to take a step back from letter writing. Now however, I have journeyed there and back again ("there" being South America) with my sister, Rachael, and so the time has come once again to pick up the pen. And by "pick up the pen," I do mean, "type on the keyboard." Writing of one's adventures is vitally important so I must continue my mission of chronicling them. I often think of a line you once wrote in a letter to your sister, Cassandra, when I have trouble getting started with letters: "I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am." Inspirational as always, Jane. Watching the sunrise! Now then, our journey to Cartagena, Colombia began on Sunday, the nineteenth of May in the Year-of-Our-Lord two-thousand and ...

July 18, 2018 Dear Jane, Photo by Yours Faithfully, Amanda We have once again reached the sad day of your passing. It has been two-hundred and one years since you departed this earth, but your memory and legacy are stronger than ever. To be sure, janeites around the globe mourn your early death (you were only forty-one) and yet we simultaneously rejoice in the beautifully written words you left behind for us. In truth, it is a most bittersweet day.  Now, as I have much updating to do, I will leave off with a short poem and the promise of another letter either this week or the next.  I wrote the short poem below after being inspired by the picture you see on the right. I took this photo this very morning, and the words, "She needed a hero so she became one," instantly caught my attention. You really were your own hero, Jane and I still admire you so very much! (And yes...that is a Jane Austen action figure.)   Jane the Hero She needed a hero and so ...

July 18, 2017 Dear Jane, It is a truth universally acknowledged that one would be remiss if one did not pay tribute to you on this, the 200th anniversary of your passing. This day, whilst sorrowful, is one of great celebration around the world and I can't help but wonder what you would think of the accolades you are receiving two-hundred years after your untimely death. It is quite a marvel to behold Jane! Social Media (for your own sake, I shall not explain this institution as it can be quite frustrating at times) is aglow with praise of you!  Photo Credit: Amanda Forker This day is one of great importance as you have been such a constant friend and inspiration to me over the years, Jane. Your novels bring me hope, joy, understanding and just plain happiness. I must confess, however, that I had great hopes of travelling to England this summer in order to partake in the many celebrations occurring all over Hampshire in your honor, but sadly, the opportunity did not ari...

December 31, 2016 Dear Jane, How I have been longing to write you a letter this past month! Pray, forgive my long absence from corresponding for I dare say I have found myself rather busy of late. In truth, now that the last day in the Year-of-Our-Lord, two-thousand and sixteen, has come upon us, I could not have let it pass without writing to my most favorite authoress. Firstly, you must think me the most terrible blackguard in the world for not writing to you on your birthday! I want you to know that I had a delightful cup of tea on the sixteenth of December to mark your two-hundred and forty-first year. How glad I am that you were born, Miss Austen! Your faithful Janeites would be quite lost without you. Now, Jane, since last I wrote much has changed. About two weeks before Thanksgiving, I quit my apartment in Queens and removed to Connecticut. I wish you to know that this was a most difficult decision to make and  I already miss my wonderful friends there . However...

September 7, 2015 Dear Jane, I confess that I had no intention of writing another letter so soon after my last, but I dare say the occasion calls for it. I moved back to Queens this past Saturday with the assistance of my wonderful sister, Rachael. It was naturally bitter-sweet (with rather more emphasis on the bitter) for not only is New York exceedingly hot, but my family is not with me here. To make matters worse, I must begin working and auditioning this week. I confess that I already miss my lovely summer in Connecticut, but I understand that as a twenty six year old female it is important to live independently from one's family. Anyhow, the purpose of my writing this letter is not to complain about moving back to New York (although I have already done just that), but rather to tell you about the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England. I am sure you would have been very surprised to learn that one day a grand festival would be held entirely in your honor every year. Unfor...