Post Office

pen pal

I wrote quite often to my pen pals.

A "pen pal" is someone you communicate with through letters.  It can be someone that you know or don't know, but your relationship or friendship is long-distance.  Notice the following:

1. Have you ever had a pen pal?
   
2. My grandmother has all the letters from when she was pen pals with her sister.
   

overseas

How much does it cost to send a postcard overseas.

To send something "overseas" is literally to send it over an ocean, but we frequently use this word to talk about sending something to another country or abroad.  Notice the following:

1. She wants to travel overseas to continue her studies.
   
2. He took a job overseas last year.
   

parcel

You have to go to the post office to send parcels.

"Parcel" is another word for a package or something larger than a letter.  Notice the following:

1. Your mother sent you a parcel for your birthday.
   
2. I have been waiting two months for the parcel to arrive.
   

convenient

It's so convenient to use e-mail.

If something is "convenient" it is easy and practical.  Notice the following:

1. My new apartment is in a very convenient location.  It is close to everything that I need.
   
2. We can go to the restaurant, but it is more convenient to have the food delivered to our house.
   

instant

E-mails or instant communication or telephone.

If communication is "instant" it happens right now or immediately rather than waiting for it.  Notice the following:

1. Do you like instant coffee?
   
2. I got an instant reply from his email that said he was away from the office.