Happy, happy birthday from all of us to you! The IGGPPC is turning seven years old and whether you’ve been there from Round 1 or only found our community yesterday, we want you to be part of our party! This year, we’re having a Birthday Snail-abration and focusing on how our celebrating can be both eco-friendly and fun! We asked the Iggle Staff a few questions around our Snail-abration theme and here’s what they said. 

Amanda

What’s your favorite endangered animal?

Sea turtles!

We’re turning lucky number 7. Do you have a lucky charm or number?

13

What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever received?

Oh man, I’ve gotten lots of great things over the years. My favorite though is being given the time and space to do things that I enjoy without having to take care of any of the usual day-to-day worries. True me time.

Mafalda

What’s your favorite endangered animal? Joanna, you may only pick ONE.

Dolphins, koalas, panda, and tiger. 

(Ed. To be fair, this was directed at Joanna but I think we all knew the spirit of the thing, MAFALDA!)

We’re turning lucky number 7. Do you have a lucky charm or number?

Not  really… I do like odd numbers!

What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever received?

Knowing I was pregnant! 

 

Steena

What’s your favorite endangered animal? Joanna, you may only pick ONE.

African Wild Dogs. Those EARS! *swoon*

We’re turning lucky number 7. Do you have a lucky charm or number?

Mm, not really. I put intention into things I use, certain earrings or perfumes, but none of them is just baseline ‘lucky’. I’ve always wanted Domino’s luck power from X-Men. 

What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever received?

When I was in college, my parents gave me a trip to Norsk Høstfest in Minot, North Dakota. It’s an annual Scandinavian festival and my Dad flew me up there so we could see Sissel Kyrkjebø in concert. It was AMAZING to see her perform in person!

Summer

What’s your favorite endangered animal? Joanna, you may only pick ONE.

Since manatees are no longer considered endangered as of 2017 (yay!) let’s give some love to the piping plovers! A pair of these birds nested on a Chicago beach last summer and stole the city’s heart!

We’re turning lucky number 7. Do you have a lucky charm or number?

My lucky number is 13! I was born on the 13th, so of course I love it. Plus it’s fun that a lot of people find it unlucky!

What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever received?

I hope a birthday present to myself counts? For my 30th birthday I went to NYC and got tickets to see the OG cast of Hamilton on Broadway! It was great!

 

Kim

What’s your favorite endangered animal? Joanna, you may only pick ONE.

Only one?! GAH. Red Panda or sea turtle.

(Ed. No one seems to be taking this “Only One” rule to heart.)

We’re turning lucky number 7. Do you have a lucky charm or number?

No, I can’t say that I do. There are certain numbers I gravitate towards (even numbers, symmetrical numbers, etc.) but I wouldn’t really say I have a lucky number or lucky charm.

What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever received?

My friend adopted a red panda in my name at our local zoo. I cried when I opened the envelope with the picture of my baby, and she even bought a little plush red panda to go along with it. It was probably one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received, besides the giant talking Chewbacca from my husband. 

 

Joanna

What’s your favorite endangered animal? Joanna, you may only pick ONE.

I AM ATTACKED. (Okay FINE.) If I must choose JUST ONE, then I will choose the snow leopard. But this is just UNFAIR so I am choosing one under PROTEST.

(Ed. Protest away.)

We’re turning lucky number 7. Do you have a lucky charm or number?

No! Haha. But as a kid I developed an ability to quickly spot four-leaf clovers. 

What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever received?

I so rarely get to spend my birthday with my spouse, that any birthday we can be together is the best. BUT there was a time (when SO was gone, of course) when a neighbor who is a chef found out I’d be alone for my birthday. He researched food from my hometown and made an AMAZING meal, and then his family hosted me for dinner. He’d never been to where I grew up and somehow made everything perfectly. I can’t even describe how much it meant to me. 

 

Jen

What’s your favorite endangered animal?

Sea Turtle.

We’re turning lucky number 7. Do you have a lucky charm or number?

13 – It was the day I was born which also happened to be a Friday. I’ve always felt it’s my lucky number. 

What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever received?

I haven’t received it yet but can I say this baby that I’m carrying? My due date is only a few days off from my birthday so I’m guessing I’ll be celebrating my birthday month with a newborn. 

We are delighted at how our pen pal community has grown over the past seven years and are so excited to celebrate many more! Thank YOU for being an amazing part of our Iggle Party!